Which hazard is recognized as the leading cause of death in the construction industry?

Falls are recognized as the leading cause of death in the construction industry, making this option the correct choice. The data consistently shows that falls account for a significant percentage of fatalities on construction sites. The nature of construction work often involves working at heights—such as on scaffolding, roofs, or ladders—where the risk of falling is inherently high.

Falls can result from various factors, including inadequate fall protection measures, lack of proper training, or failure to comply with safety regulations. The importance of fall prevention is emphasized through regulatory frameworks like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, which mandate that construction sites implement safety protocols to protect workers from fall hazards.

Understanding the prevalence of fall-related accidents in the construction sector underscores the critical need for employers to prioritize safety training and implement effective fall protection systems to safeguard workers from these dangers.