Montreal, April 26, 2024—On the occasion of Workers’ Memorial Day, a day commemorating those killed or injured on the job and celebrated on April 28, CSD construction is dismayed to learn that, year over year, the number of work-related deaths, accidents and illnesses in the construction industry is not improving.
The Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité au travail (CNESST) just released 2023 statistics for fatalities and occupational injuries. A total of 68 construction workers lost their lives on the job in 2023, compared with 57 in 2022. Construction fatalities account for 32% of total workplace fatalities in 2023 even though construction workers represent around 5% of the employed workforce.
These alarming numbers are deeply concerning for CSD Construction, whose elected members will gather this Sunday, April 28, in Quebec City to mark the Day of Mourning.
THE NUMBER OF REPORTED OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESSES AND ACCIDENTS DID NOT DECLINE IN 2023
In 2023, CNESST recorded a total of 8,676 work-related accidents and 914 occupational illnesses for the construction industry. “We believe that these figures are just the tip of the iceberg, since they only include injuries that were reported and accepted by the CNESST. Given the lack of job security in our industry, we know that many accidents, illnesses and other issues on construction sites go unreported for fear of employer reprisals. Furthermore, many risks—particularly psychosocial ones—are not taken into account when assessing the quality of work on construction sites,” says Carl Dufour, President of CSD Construction.
PREVENTION IS THE NAME OF GAME
For years, CSD Construction has been calling for mobile teams, independant from employers, to be introduced to the construction industry to ensure more effective prevention. “Once again, we have proof that employers, who are responsible for health and safety, are not adequately protecting the women and men who work for them. Prevention needs a major overhaul, and we don’t believe that Jean Boulet’s occupational health and safety reform is doing enough. We hope that 2023’s heavy toll will make all industry partners aware of the importance of prevention,” adds Carl Dufour.
INCREASED PREVENTION WORK REQUIRED AS HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS GROW WITH MASSIVE WAVE OF NEW WORKERS ENTERING THE INDUSTRY
In the coming years, the construction industry will welcome 17,000 new workers a year to meet construction needs. “The massive influx of new people, often with no work experience, combined with work that is intensifying, is a recipe for increased injuries. Here again, it all comes down to prevention,” concludes CSD Construction’s president.
TVA’s story on the topic (French):
