The construction industry continues to be the most hazardous industry in our state according to statistics recently released by the North Carolina Department of Labor. Forty percent of all OSHA-reported fatalities involved construction-related accidents. Struck-by incidents and falls accounted for 67% of all fatalities.

Due to continued safety issues in the construction industry, Kevin Beauregard, Director of the Department’s OSH Division, stated his office “will increase compliance activity in some of the construction special emphasis counties in the spring, especially those identified as having high activity or multiple fatalities.” The counties with the highest fatality rates, and those subject to increased compliance inspections, are Buncombe, Burke, Forsyth, Mecklenburg, Nash, Pasquotank, and Wake.

In addition to increased enforcement activity, the Department encourages all construction companies, both residential and commercial, to participate in a national safety stand-down to prevent falls on construction projects. The Department is encouraging construction companies to focus on fall prevention and training during the week of May 7.