Ontario construction deaths fell to 16 in 2023, lowest in eight years

TORONTO — Ontario construction fatalities were at their lowest level in eight years according to statistics released recently by the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Deaths at construction workplaces totalled 16 last year, down two from 2022 and seven fewer than in 2021.

It’s the lowest total deaths since 2016.

The data release noted the ministry investigates incidents reported at workplaces covered by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), including fatalities. The ministry’s data on workplace fatalities excludes deaths from natural causes, death of non-workers at a workplace, suicides, deaths as a result of a criminal act or traffic accident (unless the OHSA is also implicated) and deaths from occupational exposures that occurred many years ago.

Construction fatalities over the past nine years in Ontario total as follows:

• 2023 – 16;
• 2022 – 18;
• 2021 – 23;
• 2020 – 23;
• 2019 – 18;
• 2018 – 27;
• 2017 – 24;
• 2016 – 18;
• 2015 – 18.

In 2023, December and August were the most deadly months, with three deaths each. February and September followed with two each.

The worst month for fatalities in the last nine years was December 2020, when seven construction workers died.

November is generally the more deadly month, with a total of 29 deaths over nine years, followed by 22 in December and 22 in August.

From Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023, ministry inspectors conducted 60,200 field visits and issued over 92,300 orders. More than 18,900 inspector visits were conducted at construction projects throughout Ontario.

Inspection campaigns, formerly called blitzes, carried out by ministry inspectors in 2023 included struck-by motor vehicles, equipment and materials and falls from heights.