Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH)’s release of the 2023 edition of its “Deadly Skyline” report, which examines fatality trends in New York’s construction industry and offers recommendations for improving worksite safety.
Based on 2021 data from the DOL’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, key findings in the report revealed a sharp increase in construction fatalities, with deaths rising by 49% in New York State and 54% in New York City. Non-union job sites also posed a greater risk to workers, with 82% of fatalities on private worksites in New York State and 80% in New York City occurring among non-union workers. The report also notes that OSHA continued to conduct fewer inspections and issue fewer press releases compared to pre-pandemic levels. Fines for fatality cases have however continued to increase.