CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Construction workers are facing a number of hidden dangers on worksites across the country. New data from the Center for Construction Research and Training says construction workers account for nearly 20% of deadly work injuries, making construction one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. 

What You Need To Know

  • Construction workers account for nearly 20% of deadly work injuries 

  • 60% of contractors report a higher risk on highway work zones 

  • 56% of North Carolina contractors experienced five or more crashes in the past 12 months

From a study published by Carolinas Associated General Contractors, 60% of contractors say there is a higher risk now on highway work zones compared to a year ago.

Sanders Utility construction safety director Roger Richards said he believes the danger has increased because of distracted drivers and those driving under the influence.

“Someone's always looking out, right? And as the old saying is, 'You are your brother's keeper,'” Richards said.

On bustling construction sites, Richards said workers have learned to watch out for one another and become hyper aware as dangers are all around.

“We’ve had people drive through when we had our fence and everything up. We had a gate on the upper end and lower end, and we actually had some road users come through the gate into the work zone,” Richards said.

Richards and his crew work on construction sites all across Charlotte, setting up every safety measure possible.

“We installed the water-filled barriers, which is the protection for us. If an accident should happen or a car comes in, hopefully the water-filled barriers would protect us, along with it not being a solid concrete barrier so that it helps protect road users too,” Richards said.

Lately, Richards said barriers, cones and signs are still not enough to keep his workers safe.

Carolinas AGC reports 56% of North Carolina contractors experienced at least five crashes in the past 12 months, higher than the national average. Within this study, 24% of contractors report a worker was killed in a crash while in their work zones.

“You see a lot of them on their phone or they're distracted, they're eating or something to that effect to where they're not fully focused on driving. If you look at it, if you're traveling at 55 mph, you take your eyes off the road for once, they say that you've traveled 88 feet, that's scary,” Richards said.

Richards works alongside Carolinas AGC to push lawmakers to introduce legislation that would strengthen the safety around work zones and require new drivers to take work zone safety courses before getting their license. He also urges drivers to be more cautious as they get behind the wheel.

“Please pay attention, read the advanced warning signs, stay off your phone going through work zones and pay attention. We all want to go home at the end of the day,” Richards said.