Every September and October, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the invaluable contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities to New York City’s culture, economy, and workforce. Among the many sectors that rely heavily on Hispanic workers, construction stands out, both for its importance and its risks. As we honor the workers who help build the city’s skyline, it’s also necessary to acknowledge a sobering truth: Latino construction workers continue to experience disproportionately high rates of injuries and fatalities in New York City.
A Decade of Rising Fatalities Among Hispanic Construction Workers
According to data from the Center for Construction Research & Training (CPWR), fatalities among Hispanic construction workers nationwide increased by over 107% between 2011 and 2022, while the rise among non-Hispanic workers was just 16.5%. In that same period, Hispanic workers accounted for more than one-third of all work-related injuries resulting in time away from the job and nearly half of all job transfers or restricted duty cases.
Injuries and 2011-2022 IPUMS Current Population Survey.
These statistics reveal a persistent pattern of elevated risk exposure for Latino workers, often associated with systemic issues such as limited training access, unsafe work environments, and language barriers that can limit understanding of critical safety protocols.
NYC’s Construction Deaths Reach a 10-Year High
Locally, the picture is equally concerning. The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) reported that 74 construction workers died statewide in 2023, the highest number in a decade. Of those, 30 fatalities occurred within New York City alone, a 25% increase from 2022.
Despite representing approximately 10% of the state’s overall workforce, Hispanic and Latino workers accounted for 26% of construction-related deaths last year. This disproportionate rate underscores a troubling reality: many of the individuals who build, maintain, and repair the city’s infrastructure are also the most vulnerable to on-the-job injuries and fatalities.
Why These Disparities Persist
Several interconnected factors contribute to this gap:
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Language and Training Barriers: Safety training is often delivered only in English, leaving some workers without a full understanding of site hazards or emergency procedures.
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Non-Union and Informal Employment: The majority of fatal incidents, nearly 77% according to NYCOSH, occurred on non-union job sites, which frequently lack adequate oversight or safety enforcement.
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Fear of Retaliation: Undocumented or temporary workers may hesitate to report unsafe conditions or injuries, fearing job loss or immigration repercussions.
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Assignment to High-Risk Tasks: Hispanic workers are more frequently assigned to exterior, scaffolding, or demolition work, taskss statistically associated with higher injury and death rates.
Policy Efforts and Safety Initiatives
To combat these trends, NYCOSH and other safety advocates recommend several measures, including expanding multilingual safety training, enforcing stricter licensing for repeat violators, and including legislation such as Carlos’ Law, which increased potential corporate penalties for workplace deaths to as much as $1 million.
The NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) has also expanded its Construction Safety Compliance Units, tracking incidents in real time. As of April 2025, NYC reported 114 injuries and 4 fatalities at active construction sites. Though progress is slow, these initiatives signal an ongoing effort to improve oversight and accountability.
WSAT Law’s Commitment During Hispanic Heritage Month 2025
At WSAT Law, we recognize that Hispanic construction workers are the backbone of New York’s building industry, yet too often, they face unsafe working conditions that lead to preventable tragedies. During Hispanic Heritage Month, we not only celebrate their dedication but also reaffirm our commitment to advocating for injured workers and their families.
When negligence or safety violations lead to serious injuries or deaths, our firm helps victims understand their rights, gather critical evidence, and pursue fair compensation. We work to hold contractors, property owners, and other responsible parties accountable under New York’s labor laws.
Important Disclaimer
This blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Each case is unique. Reading this article does not establish an attorney-client relationship with WSAT Law.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction site accident, contact WSAT Law for a free consultation at (212) 683-3800 or online at wsatlaw.com/contact.
