construction safety

The $762 Million Economic Burden of Construction Injuries, Deaths in Washington State

Oct. 31, 2012
Between 2008 and 2010, injuries and deaths in the construction industry cost Washington state $762 million – a “largely avoidable” economic burden that could be improved if contracts are awarded only to companies with strong safety records, according to a new Public Citizen report.

“At a time in which the economy is struggling, the last thing Washington needs is a largely avoidable $762 million burden,” Public Citizen stated in “The Price of Inaction: A Comprehensive Look at the Costs of Injuries and Fatalities in Washington’s Construction Industry.” But that economic burden is exactly what the state faced from construction injuries and fatalities from 2008-2010.

The new report, part in a series of state reports, quantifies the estimated costs of deaths and injuries in Washington state’s construction industry. From 2008 to 2010, Washington recorded 34,700 construction industry injuries and illnesses, of which 16,600 required days away from work or job transfer. Additionally, 39 construction-related fatalities were reported in these years.

Drawing on a 2004 analysis on the cost of occupational injuries in combination with newer data, Public Citizen determined that such incidents cost the state’s economy $762 million during the 3-year period.

“The economic picture we came up with is quite staggering,” said Keith Wrightson, worker safety and health advocate for Public Citizen’s Congress Watch division. “We now know that construction accidents impose huge economic costs in addition to tremendous pain for individual victims.”

A solution proposed in the report is to award public construction contracts only to companies that have strong safety records.

The report notes that Washington already screens construction companies to ensure that they meet standards on past performance, apprenticeship utilization and legal proceedings. But safety is excluded from the state’s prequalification system. The system should be expanded to require construction firms to demonstrate that they provide safety training to workers and site supervisors, and that they do not have serious safety violations.

“Implementing a prequalification process for public construction projects would not address all of the industry’s safety problems,” Wrightson said. “However, such a positive step could yield significant gains to the economy for minimal costs.”

“Workers, industry and government should not have to wait any longer for efforts to be made to reduce fatalities and injuries in the construction industry and the economic burdens they create,” the report stated.

The report can be viewed at http://www.citizen.org/documents/price-of-inaction-washington-construction-worker-safety-report.pdf.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

Sponsored Recommendations

Ensuring a Safer Workplace through a Comprehensive Contractor Qualification Framework

March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...

EQT Private Equity to Acquire Avetta from WCAS

March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.

Guide to OSHA Workplace Lighting Requirements

March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers and why do they matter?

March 13, 2025
From raw materials to final products, each supplier tier poses risks and liabilities that can impact your organization. Avetta's supply chain management software offers peace ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!