Asch Workers' Comp StrategyA Safer New York Worksite: Real Lessons from Construction Site Incidents and Strategic, Fractional Support
Spotlight on Safety: Why It Matters
Construction remains one of the most hazardous industries in both New York and across the United States. While the number of incidents has recently declined, the severity and consequences of construction accidents continue to draw concern. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (CFOI 2023 report), there were 5,486 fatal work injuries nationwide in 2022. That number declined modestly to 5,283 in 2023, yet construction consistently ranks as the most dangerous sector in private industry. In 2023 alone, construction accounted for 1,055 of those deaths—approximately 20.8% of all workplace fatalities—despite construction workers comprising less than five percent of the total U.S. workforce. Among those deaths, 38.5% resulted from falls, slips, or trips, making elevation-related hazards the leading cause of death in the industry, according to the BLS Fatal Falls in Construction summary. A year earlier, construction was responsible for nearly half of all fatal falls across all sectors, per this 2022 BLS analysis.
Closer to home, the 2024 New York City Department of Buildings Construction Safety Report showed meaningful, but incomplete, progress. Construction-related incidents in New York City dropped from 841 in 2023 to 638 in 2024—a 24 percent decrease—while reported injuries fell from 692 to 482, a 30 percent reduction. However, construction fatalities remained steady, with seven reported in both years. These numbers underscore that while compliance enforcement and awareness campaigns have had some impact, persistent risk factors continue to threaten workers’ lives, particularly on high-rise, excavation, and demolition projects.
These trends reflect the growing need for smarter, more responsive strategies that extend beyond simple regulatory checklists. The solution lies not only in enforcement, but also in proactive risk assessment, independent oversight, and structured response systems—approaches that organizations like Asch Workers’ Comp Strategy deliver through fractional, embedded support.
Real-World Cases: Hazards That Led to Tragedy
In December 2023, a construction worker died in Smyrna, New York, after falling from elevation at a job site. OSHA investigators found that the worker had not been provided proper fall protection, and the employer was cited for multiple violations. The agency concluded that the death was preventable had basic safety protocols been in place (OSHA Press Release).
In Queens, October 2024, a 54‑year‑old worker was fatally injured on a sewer installation project in Astoria, Queens, when he was struck in the head by a falling piece of equipment more than 100 feet below ground. The accident occurred near 31st Street and 34th Avenue and highlights the risks of underground work without proper equipment coordination or trench safety (Astoria Post report).
On August 1, 2024, a 61‑year‑old laborer died after being struck by an excavator during utility infrastructure work on Fishkill Avenue in Beacon, New York. The victim, Amalio Lombardi of Goshen, was a long-time worker on municipal infrastructure projects. The incident occurred between Conklin Street and Dallis Place; local officials ordered flags lowered to half-staff in his memory (Mid-Hudson News summary).
These incidents are not anomalies. They follow a familiar pattern in which training gaps, site hazards, and regulatory violations intersect with tragic consequences. Many of the employers involved had prior safety citations, revealing systemic weaknesses that often go uncorrected until it's too late.
Prevention and Correction: Strategic Lessons from the Field
One of the most consistent findings in both public investigations and industry studies is that fall protection remains underutilized, despite being required under both federal regulations and New York Labor Law Section 240. Workers operating on scaffolds, ladders, or roof lines are too often left without harnesses, anchorage points, or adequate supervision.
The fatality in Queens reflects a different, but equally pressing, danger: the risks posed by excavation work and heavy machinery operating in tight, unstable environments. These risks demand constant monitoring, proper shoring, and strong communication between supervisors and laborers.
Many construction firms focus their safety resources on responding to incidents rather than preventing them. But proactive safety planning—including daily job hazard analyses, independent site audits, and unannounced inspections—has proven to be far more effective in reducing injuries than relying on post-incident remediation alone.
Data-driven safety strategies are becoming more accessible, even for mid-sized firms. Wearable sensors, geofencing, and AI-enabled video monitoring can identify unsafe behaviors in real time. These tools, when paired with a culture of accountability and regular safety briefings, help create safer job sites and reduce overall claim exposure.
From Incident to Outcome: How Fractional Safety and Claims Services Strengthen Results
At Asch Workers’ Comp Strategy, we provide fractional services tailored to construction firms, site supervisors, and general contractors across New York. Our model delivers specialized, strategic support without the need for full-time hires—precisely where and when you need it.
Our services include jobsite safety audits and guidance on integrating technology that helps detect and prevent high-risk situations. We conduct root-cause reviews after incidents occur, going beyond surface-level compliance checks to identify operational or subcontractor breakdowns that contributed to the problem.
We also assist firms in preparing for OSHA or Department of Buildings inspections, reviewing prior citations and current safety plans to reduce the risk of repeat violations. For serious injuries, we coordinate with medical providers and insurers to facilitate early nurse case management and return-to-work planning, ultimately shortening the life of the claim and improving outcomes for the injured worker.
Conclusion: Proactive Safety, Strategic Support
Despite some progress in construction site safety, serious injuries and fatalities continue to occur at unacceptable levels in New York and across the country. These incidents are often not the result of unforeseen hazards, but rather predictable failures in training, supervision, and follow-through.
At Asch Workers’ Comp Strategy, our fractional approach allows you to strengthen your safety and claims management process without the overhead of full-time staff. Whether your team needs targeted support for a high-risk project, guidance after a serious incident, or a proactive review of current practices, we deliver the insight and resources needed to reduce risk and protect your workforce.
Construction doesn’t have to come at the cost of safety. With the right strategies and support, safer worksites—and stronger outcomes—are within reach.