Worker safety is the top priority in what we do, but not all workers are equally safe. That’s what the New York Committee for Occupational Health and Safety (NYCOSH) has found in their latest “Deadly Skyline” annual report released on February 13th.
Using the latest data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as well as OSHA, the New York State Department of Labor, and the New York City Department of Buildings, NYCOSH found that construction fatalities increased in New York City in 2022 but decreased in New York State overall. Non-union and immigrant workers make up a disproportionate number of deaths on the job. As they note in their report, union members and shop stewards are trained and certified in safety best practices, and their unions protect them from retaliation when reporting safety violations and potential hazards. Based on their findings, NYCOSH recommends more inspections by OSHA and the DOB, enforcing responsible contracting and preventing the most egregious violators from receiving government subsidies, and proactively protecting immigrant workers from extreme exploitation and dangerous conditions.
