Construction Safety Week 2026

Gravity

Falls

Falls are frequently discussed and widely known to be one of the biggest causes of injury or worse in construction. Our "Fall Protection Safety Quick Tips" resource shares practical and proven strategies to help reduce fall exposures experienced by construction workers. These measures should be tailored to each job site’s unique needs by addressing the work environment's specific conditions.

Why does this matter?

• In 2022, nearly 1 out of every 5 workplace fatalities happened in construction.¹
• Of those construction fatalities, 38.4% were caused by falls, slips and trips.²
• Construction workers made up almost half (47.4%) of all fatal falls across every industry.³

Sources
^1,2,3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 

Electrical

Focus Four

Electrocution is part of OSHA's Focus Four for good reason. It remains one of the leading causes of construction fatalities in the United States year over year. OSHA reports that 70% of workplace electrical fatalities involve non-electrical workers such as laborers, arborists, HVAC technicians, roofers and painters. Have you assessed the electrical risk that may impact your team and identified appropriate controls to mitigate these risks?

Learn more about electrical hazards and ways to help minimize risks.

Motion

Material handling

Although the movement of materials, equipment and refuse is required by almost all tradespeople, assessing the hazards and implementing associated controls can sometimes be overlooked. The "2025 Travelers Injury Impact Report" found that overexertion is the most common cause of injury in the last five years. However, utilizing safe material handling techniques can help protect workers from material handling related injuries.

Learn more about material handling strategies and best practices.

Mechanical

Struck-by

Construction workers face a disproportionate risk of struck-by vehicle incidents. According to OSHA, one in four “struck by vehicle” fatalities involve construction workers, more than any other occupation. The persistent frequency of these accidents has earned struck-by hazards a place on OSHA's Focus Four, the agency's list of the most critical dangers on construction sites.

Protecting workers requires a layered approach. By combining multiple controls to address a given hazard, teams can significantly reduce the likelihood of an unplanned and potentially fatal event.

Learn best practices for crew members across multiple roles and job stages, emphasizing that no single safeguard is enough.

Pressure

Cranes

Cranes rely on high-pressure hydraulic systems to lift and control loads. A sudden loss of pressure, hose failure or unintended release of stored hydraulic energy can result in dropped loads, uncontrolled boom movement or fluid injection injuries. Proper inspection, pressure relief controls and energy isolation during maintenance are critical to helping to prevent serious incidents.

Lockout/tagout (LOTO)

LOTO hazardous energy controls are critical for helping to prevent devastating injuries or fatalities during equipment maintenance and servicing. Learn ways to help identify energy sources, establish reliable isolation practices and strengthen your safety program.

Pneumatic

Pneumatic tools (like nail guns, impact wrenches or air hammers) are powered by compressed air, a form of stored energy. When that energy is released unexpectedly through events like a hose rupture, accidental trigger or residual pressure, serious injuries can occur. Read more on hand and power tool standards, hazards and solutions.

Sound

Excessive noise

Excessive noise from tools, heavy equipment and operations can damage hearing and mask critical warning signals on the jobsite. High noise levels on construction sites are a leading cause of permanent hearing loss, with approximately 14% of construction workers experiencing hearing difficulty and 7% reporting tinnitus. Left unaddressed, hearing loss affects communication and daily life and can contribute to anxiety, depression and social isolation.

Recognizing high-noise environments, implementing engineering controls and proper hearing protection, and acknowledging the long-term impact of noise exposure are all essential steps to help preserve worker safety and health. Access Travelers training and resources on air sampling and noise dosimetry to learn more.

Temperature

Heat illness

The National Safety Council reported that in 2023, there were 294 outdoor heat related fatalities in the United States. Due to the nature of their work, most construction workers are at an increased exposure to outdoor heat. As summer months approach, pre-planning can help reduce the risk of a worker experiencing a heat emergency on your project.

An effective heat illness prevention plan helps to identify environmental and personal risk factors and establishes controls such as modified work schedules and acclimatization plans for new or returning workers. A key step in recognizing outdoor heat hazards is the regular monitoring of both outdoor temperature and heat index. High humidity decreases the evaporation rate of sweat and impacts cooling of the body. Apps like the OSHA – NIOSH Heat Safety Tool can provide information on temperature and heat index to assist in planning work to help reduce worker exposures to outdoor heat.

Heat related illnesses can progress rapidly from minor symptoms to serious illness and even fatality. Discover ways to help workers recognize and respond to heat illness symptoms.

Biological

Mental health

Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. After an employee suffers a workplace injury, they may experience issues that affect their ability to go back to work. Often times these problems are not always physical. Psychosocial factors may have a profound impact on worker health and well-being. See what the statistics say about mental health in the Construction industry.

Insect bites/ticks

Construction workers often spend long hours outdoors, where insect bites and tick exposures are common hazards. These bites can transmit serious illnesses, including Lyme disease, West Nile virus and other infections. Protecting workers through insect repellent, proper clothing and routine tick checks, as well as educating crews on symptoms, can help reduce the risk and supports overall jobsite safety. Explore ways to help prevent insect related illness.

Chemical

Fire

According to NFPA data, not only are fires in structures under construction trending upward, they also result in an average of 5 fatalities and 59 injuries annually. Key exposures include hot work, smoking, combustible material storage and temporary electrical installations. Learn ways to help reduce the risk of fire on your project.

Silica

Respirable crystalline silica is a chemical hazard present on a wide variety of construction sites whenever cutting, drilling or shaping of concrete, asphalt or stone occurs. Exposure can lead to silicosis, a serious and incurable lung disease. Recognizing tasks that expose workers to respirable silica and implementing controls are key steps in helping to prevent long term health impacts.

Substance abuse

NYU Public Health data shows construction workers are more likely to use drugs than those in other professions. A Travelers mental health survey found that 63% of respondents lack access to resources for managing non-medical substance misuse. See what steps employers in the construction industry are taking to help recognize and respond to this critical issue.

Radiation

Sun exposure

Per the CDC, nearly 6 million people treated for skin cancer each year in the United States. Construction workers face increased risk due to the long hours they spend outdoors exposed to UV radiation. Prolonged and repeated sun exposure can lead to serious forms of skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Research shows outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable due to frequent sun exposure and limited use of protective measures. Read about what you can do.

Welding

Welding exposes construction workers to radiation from the welding which can cause eye injuries like welder's flash and skin damage without proper protection. Proper PPE, including welding helmets with appropriate filter lenses and protective clothing, is essential for welders and those working nearby. Combined with adequate ventilation and hazard communication, these practices can help reduce injuries and risks associated with welding operations. See how you can keep welding safety front and center at the worksite.