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The rate at which construction workers injured or fell ill on the job decreased in 2023, although the raw number of worksite injuries increased, according to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on November 8.

Registered construction 2.3 work accidents or non-fatal occupational illnesses per 100 full-time equivalent workers last year, according to the BLS, down from 2.4 in 2022. Seven of the 19 industries measured had higher incidence rates, and construction’s rate fell just short of below the total average for all U.S. industries of 2.4.

The raw number of nonfatal injuries and illnesses, however, increased 2.1 percent, from 169,600 to 173,200, according to the BLS. Five sectors recorded more injuries and illnesses in 2023 than construction.

In total, the private construction sector represented 6.7% of total recordable work accidents and non-fatal occupational diseases in 2023, compared to 6.0% in 2022.

But the rate of nonfatal injuries has declined over the past decade, according to Amber Trueblood, data center director for CPWR – Center for Construction Research and Training, based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Last year’s total rate of nonfatal recordable cases was 41 percent lower than in 2011, making it the lowest ever recorded during that period, Trueblood said.

Still, the data has flaws, Trueblood said. It is self-reported by about 233,000 employers, Trueblood said, and excludes self-employed workers, workers on farms with fewer than 10 employees, volunteers and federal government employees.

The numbers do not represent a consensus, but rather an estimate to help monitor health and safety, she said.

Chris Trahain Cain, executive director of CPWR, said she was optimistic but called for more work.

“While it is important to keep in mind the limitations of the recordable injury rate, it is encouraging to see this year’s decline, especially as the rate is the lowest in a dozen years” , Cain said. “This rate is still too high, especially since there are proven methods to significantly reduce injuries on construction sites. »

The report also only measures non-fatal injuries. The BLS will release data on 2023 industry fatalities on Dec. 19.