NEW YORK, NY — The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) today released its annual construction fatality report, revealing a significant increase in worker deaths across New York State and continued racial disparities in workplace fatalities.

The report found that in New York City, the worker fatality rate increased slightly from 11.5 to 11.6 per 100,000 workers (24 deaths in 2022 to 30 in 2023). In New York State, however, there was a concerning 8.3% rate increase to 10.4 per 100,000 workers – and a 48% increase in state construction worker deaths in just one year (50 deaths in 2022 to 74 in 2023).

“These numbers represent a clear failure of our system to protect workers,” said Charlene Obernauer, Executive Director of NYCOSH. “While we have tools like Carlos’ Law and the Scaffold Safety Law, we urgently need increased funding for enforcement and proactive measures to protect our most vulnerable workers. Right now, we can act to fully fund staffing at the Department of Buildings and stop giving out free money to contractors across the state that violate laws meant to keep workers safe.”

According to the report, the NYC Department of Buildings (NYC DOB) lost 119 positions despite a construction boom. Data from the New York City Comptroller’s office revealed that in January 2025, the NYC DOB had a vacancy rate of 13.3%, contributing to the overall problem. The report also identified Latinx workers, representing 10% of workforce but 26% of fatalities, as facing disproportionate risk.

Sam Fisher, Industrial Hygienist at NYCOSH and lead author of the report, said the data tells a stark story.

“Not only did we see a 48% increase in construction deaths statewide, but our analysis shows that 74% of fatal incidents had preventable safety violations, and 77% of investigated fatalities were of nonunion workers. Meanwhile, OSHA’s average fine for fatality cases dropped by 45.6% to just $32,123, while inspection levels remained 15.33% below pre-pandemic numbers. This creates a perfect storm where violations are both common and inadequately penalized.”

Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, said that while a career in the construction industry can offer countless opportunities for hardworking New Yorkers to support their families, make livable wages, and ascend to the middle class, the occupation is a naturally hazardous one that requires extra oversight aimed at protecting workers.

“This report serves as a sobering reminder that work remains to be done to prevent deadly accidents at construction sites as best as possible,” LaBarbera said. “The NYC Building Trades remains dedicated to our work to promote proper training, safety measures, and supervision at construction sites that will help ensure every tradesperson returns home safely to their families after each shift. Anyone working on any project deserves to feel valued and know that their wellbeing is a priority. We are committed to making that possible.”

Donato A. Bianco, Jr., LIUNA Vice President and New England Regional Manager, said the report’s data is clear and compelling – union construction sites experience fewer fatalities and serious injuries.

“This isn’t coincidental; it’s the direct result of comprehensive training programs, rigorous safety standards, empowered workers who can advocate for themselves, and the partnership we share with our union contractors,” Bianco said. “As we look at these sobering statistics, we must acknowledge that cutting corners on worker safety leads to preventable tragedies.”

Nilbia Coyote, Executive Director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), agrees.

“The rising death toll in New York’s construction industry is a tragic and unacceptable failure of worker protections. Behind every statistic is a worker— often an immigrant, often Latino — whose life was cut short due to preventable hazards and employer negligence,” Coyote said. “The disproportionate loss of Latino workers underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement, accountability for reckless contractors, and investment in comprehensive safety training.”

NICE’s current focus is the Pre-Apprenticeship for Life and Work program that ensures workers are not only educated but skilled and empowered to advocate for their safety.

“New York must take decisive action to protect those who build this city before another life is lost,” Coyote said. “NICE will keep advocating, empowering, and fighting for our immigrants and all workers.”

Ligia Guallpa, Worker’s Justice Project Executive Director, said the report’s data is a wake-up call – both because it shows that the most vulnerable workers are at the greatest risk of being killed on the job and because it reflects a national pattern that has seen deaths among Latinx construction workers more than double in the last decade.

“We’re witnessing a systemic failure to address deep inequalities in workplace safety in our city and country. Latinx workers in particular fill critical workforce gaps while disproportionately facing the consequences of working in dangerous conditions,” Guallpa said. “They are among the most vulnerable workers, with restricted access to training or work protections, weak enforcement, and fear of retaliation if they speak up.

“Language barriers, exploitative employers, and lack of oversight put their lives at risk while safety improvements fail to reach them. It’s the reason why Worker’s Justice Project has been a leading advocate for requiring safety training for all construction workers and a leading provider of such training to Latinx workers in Spanish,” Guallpa said. “It’s also the reason that we empower immigrant workers to fight for systemic changes in enforcement, regulation, and industry standards because systemic failures of this kind require collective worker power to hold industries accountable.”

Victoria Wickman, President of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, said unsafe worksites continue to cost lives, disproportionately impacting immigrant and non-union workers.

“New York’s Scaffold Safety Law remains an essential safeguard, holding negligent contractors accountable,” Wickman said. “Upholding this life-saving measure ensures that every worker—regardless of background—returns home safely at the end of the day. New York’s workers build this city—Lady Justice must always have their backs.”

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