The report shows a total of 75 deaths occurred in the category of “plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors,” denoted by NAICS code 23822. This is down 9.6% from 2023’s total of 83. The report doesn’t differentiate between HVAC and plumbing incidents. 

While each incident is tragic, these numbers bode well for the HVAC industry as a whole, with companies continuing to emphasize safety. Justin Crandol, director of safety at the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association, believes the drop in fatal injuries can be credited to an overall emphasis on communicating safety through multiple channels. 

“One of the benefits that we’re able to use with the technology today is how we can get the safety message out more,” he said. “It used to be weekly toolbox talks. Now we’re doing daily safety messages. So now we’re getting into the hazards that we’re going to face on a day-to-day basis. 

“When we’re able to do that, we’re better prepared, and that helps.” 

The largest cause of fatalities was falls, trips, and slips, responsible for 23 workplace deaths in 2024. In 2023, that number was 24. These types of incidents can include falls to lower levels or on the same level. 

“At the end of the day, we do have to work at heights. So when it comes to fatalities, our greatest risk is still working at heights,” said Crandol. “Primarily, we’re not working on leading edges; we’re working off scaffolding, aerial lifts, and ladders.” 

He said one opportunity for reducing fatal injuries from falls is changing hard hats for helmets with straps. This reduces the risk of a fatal head injury by preventing the protective hat from falling off during an incident. 

Crandol said falls are more than just working from heights in the field. Falls typically in the 4-foot or lower range can happen at the shop or office as well, and are important to address as part of cultivating a safety culture. 

“You’re catching it from the orientation when you first start, so it’s not like, ‘I’m in the field, you’re in the shop, and now we’re different people,’” he said. “No, we’re all one company.” 

The next highest fatal incident for 2024 was exposure to harmful substances or environments, which accounted for 22 deaths. The previous year didn’t record any of these incidents. They can include exposure to electricity, environmental heat, or reactions to inhaled or ingested substances.  

Crandol said the biggest threats he sees are welding and heat illness. Preventing these includes being safe when operating welding equipment like laser welders, staying aware of welding fumes, and managing heat exposure, both in the field and in shops. 

“We work in producing in our shops, tons and tons of HVAC. Steel manipulation of our machinery and 100-degree-plus heat in Arizona, to working in Boston, where there's still snow and ice, but it will get hot.” 

According to BLS data, 17 deaths were due to transportation incidents, and the rest were due to contact incidents. This is 26% lower than 2023’s total of 23. Contact incidents can include contact with another nonviolent person, with animals, or being struck by an object. 

No deaths caused by violent acts were reported in the 2024 data. In 2023, nine deaths were due to a violent act.  

Data from SMANCA's Safety Excellence Awards Program shows the average rate for OSHA incidents for its members decreased in 2025, the 14th time in the last 17 years. The majority of companies conduct pre-task planning before each project, and 97% of surveyed contractors conduct safety inspections. Another 91% use toolbox talks/videos. 

Residential and Commercial Workplace Fatalities 

The BLS report breaks down residential and nonresidential workplace fatalities, though the totals don’t match the overall category. 

According to the report, a total of 20 fatal workplace injuries occurred in residential HVAC and plumbing (NAICS code 238221). This is up 50% from 2023, when 10 deaths occurred in the residential sector. 

Of those 20 deaths, nine were from exposure to harmful substances or environments, while seven were transportation-related. No further specifics are given about the remaining four deaths. The 2023 data only reports that five of the 10 deaths were caused by transportation. 

In the nonresidential category (NAICS code 238222), 19 fatal workplace injuries occurred in 2024, up 46% from 13 in 2023. Of those 19, nine were from a fall, trip, or slip — one more than in 2023 — and three were caused by exposure to a harmful substance or environment.  

In 2023’s report, eight of the 13 nonresidential fatal injuries were attributed to falls, slips, and trips.