An NAHB analysis of OSHA data from 1993-1997 found that there was one death for every 16,825 houses built during that five-year period.
Other findings of the NAHB study, which was commissioned in 2000, were:
- The four primary causes of fatalities in the home building industry were: falls, electrocutions, “struck by” hazards and “caught in” hazards.
- Of the total residential fatalities, 15.9% occurred within single-family housing in which the home builder or general contractor subcontracted the majority of the work.
- Roofing and sheet metal work accounted for 15.6% of the residential fatalities, yet roofers represented only 12% of the construction.
- Carpentry accounted for 12.9% of the deaths and 48% of the work.
- Plumbing, heating and air conditioning accounted for 11.2% of residential fatalities and 11% of the work.
- States with the most fatalities were also fast growing: Florida, with 33 residential fatalities; California, with 30; and Texas, 27.
- Rounding out the top five states were slower growing Pennsylvania, with 24 fatalities; and Michigan, with 21.
An article on 10 steps that are needed to ensure an effective safety and health program to address the causes of deaths and injuries on the construction site will appear in the June 16 issue of NBN Online.
For more information on safety issues, e-mail Robert Matuga or call him at 800-368-5242 x8507.
BuilderBooks.com offers a variety of safety and OSHA-related publications online. To view or purchase these publications, click here.
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