Roofing Fatality Statistics

Roofing is consistently one of the most dangerous occupations measured by fatal injury rates. Work at height on sloped and often wet or hot surfaces, near unprotected edges, skylights and openings, exposes roofers to serious fall hazards.

United States data

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries reports both the number of deaths and the rate per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers.

• 2024: roofers had a fatal injury rate of 48.7 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, with 104 deaths. This was the third-highest rate among the occupations BLS highlighted, behind logging workers (110.4) and fishing and hunting workers (88.8). The rate for all workers was 3.3.
• 2023: according to Roofing Contractor's analysis of BLS data, the roofing industry had a rate of 51.8 per 100,000 with 134 deaths, and roofers as an occupation recorded 113 deaths. Roofing ranked as the third-deadliest civilian occupation, down from second in 2022.

Falls

Falls, slips and trips account for most roofing deaths. In 2023, falls caused 82 percent of roofing industry deaths (110 of 134) and 84 percent of deaths among roofers as an occupation (95 of 113).

Other hazards

• Heat stress, especially in summer and on dark roofs;
• Electrocution from overhead power lines and equipment;
• Burns from hot asphalt and torches;
• Struck-by injuries from falling materials and equipment;
• Musculoskeletal strain from lifting and kneeling.

Prevention

Common controls include guardrails, personal fall arrest systems with secure anchors, safety nets, warning lines on low-slope roofs, skylight screens, ladder safety, training, heat illness programs, and planning work to keep people away from edges. In the United States, OSHA regulations set fall protection requirements for construction, and many other countries have equivalent work-at-height rules.

Interpreting the figures

Year-to-year changes can reflect both safety performance and changes in employment levels and data methods. Occupation counts (roofers) and industry counts (all workers in roofing contractors' businesses) differ, so it is important to cite which measure and year are being used.