Scaffolding Accident Statistics: 2026 Report

Between January 2025 and January 2026, our research team at the Law Offices of Eric Richman compiled scaffolding accident data from OSHA reports, Bureau of Labor Statistics filings, and construction industry safety records across New York State and surrounding regions. This report aggregates scaffolding injury and fatality statistics, OSHA violation trends, and construction site safety benchmarks to provide a comprehensive analysis of scaffolding-related incidents affecting the 2.3 million construction workers who regularly work on scaffolds.

The data presented below reflects the most current available information on scaffolding accidents, including injury rates, fatality statistics, common causes of accidents, and regulatory violations that continue to put construction workers at risk.

Key Takeaways

• Scaffolding accidents cause 4,500 injuries and 60-80 deaths annually despite affecting 2.3 million construction workers (65% of the construction industry), with preventable hazards accounting for the majority of incidents.
• 72% of scaffolding accidents stem from just three causes: equipment failure or improper assembly (28%), slipping or tripping hazards (24%), and falling objects (20%), indicating that targeted safety interventions could dramatically reduce accident rates.
• Catastrophic injuries dominate scaffolding accidents, with 68% resulting in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or multiple fractures, injuries that often lead to permanent disability and medical costs exceeding $250,000.

Scaffolding accidents remain one of the most serious hazards facing construction workers in the United States. According to OSHA data and our analysis of recent injury reports, scaffolding-related incidents result in significant injuries and deaths each year despite increased safety regulations.

Key Takeaways:

• 2.3 million construction workers (65% of the industry) regularly work on scaffolds, representing massive exposure to scaffolding hazards across the construction workforce.
• 4,500 annual injuries and 60-80 deaths are largely preventable through proper safety protocols, yet enforcement gaps and violations continue to put workers at risk.
• Economic impact exceeds $90 million annually in lost workdays alone, not including medical expenses, legal costs, workers’ compensation claims, and long-term impacts on injured workers’ earning capacity.

Understanding what causes scaffolding accidents is essential for both workers and employers seeking to improve construction site safety. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis and OSHA incident reports, the vast majority of scaffolding accidents can be attributed to a small number of preventable causes.

Key Takeaways:

• Three causes account for 72% of all scaffolding accidents: equipment failure (28%), slipping/tripping (24%), and falling objects (20%), providing a clear roadmap for targeted prevention efforts.
• 44% of accidents involve preventable slipping and falling object hazards that could be eliminated through proper guardrails, non-slip surfaces, toe boards, and PPE enforcement.
• Electrocution accounts for 18% of accidents but has a disproportionately high fatality rate, with scaffolds near power lines creating extreme danger that remains inadequately addressed.

The types of injuries resulting from scaffolding accidents reflect the severe nature of falls from elevated heights and equipment failures. Unlike minor workplace injuries, scaffolding accidents typically result in catastrophic injuries that permanently alter victims’ lives.

Key Takeaways:

• 68% of scaffolding injuries are catastrophic: traumatic brain injuries (22%), spinal cord injuries (18%), and multiple fractures (28%) that often result in permanent disability and inability to return to work.
• Medical costs range from $25,000 to over $1 million for initial treatment alone, not including lost wages, reduced earning capacity, ongoing care, and diminished quality of life.
• 18% of scaffolding accidents result in spinal cord injuries or paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care and making legal action beyond workers’ compensation essential for adequate financial resources.