New Study Highlights Disproportionate Impact of Opioid Deaths on Construction Workers in Ontario

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A recent report reveals that construction workers in Ontario are significantly affected by the opioid crisis, with over a third of opioid-related deaths linked to this sector between 2018 and 2024.

TORONTO — A new report aims to shed light on the extensive impact of opioid overdoses on various professions in Ontario, particularly highlighting the alarming rates among construction workers. The study indicates that from 2018 to 2024, more than one-third of known opioid-related fatalities involved individuals employed in construction or trades, accounting for approximately 1,340 deaths. This figure is part of a broader trend, as nearly 16,000 opioid deaths were recorded in Ontario during the same timeframe, although the coroner documented occupational information for only about 22 percent of these cases.
Tara Gomes, the principal investigator of the study, emphasized that the findings reinforce earlier research showing that construction workers are disproportionately affected by the opioid crisis. However, the new data also reveals that workers in natural resources and agriculture are similarly vulnerable, albeit the smaller workforce in these sectors may have previously led to their struggles being overlooked. In 2024, the data indicated a rate of 54.5 opioid deaths per 100,000 construction workers, compared to 32 deaths per 100,000 for those in natural resources.
The study suggests that the heightened risk of injury, unstable employment conditions, and the prevalence of shift work in these occupations could contribute to the increased vulnerability among workers. In the hospitality sector, the opioid death rate was also concerning, with 8.9 deaths per 100,000 workers recorded in 2024.
Gomes pointed out that there is often a misconception about who suffers the consequences of the opioid crisis. She noted that individuals in high-risk jobs may turn to illicit drugs for pain management, especially when they lack access to prescription medication due to inadequate health benefits. This is particularly evident in the construction and trades sectors, but similar patterns could be observed in retail and hospitality.
The report also investigated the substances present in the systems of those who died from opioid overdoses. Among construction and trades workers, 49 percent tested positive for cocaine, and nearly 23 percent had amphetamines in their systems at the time of death. For hospitality workers, the rates were similarly high, at approximately 45 percent for cocaine and 22 percent for amphetamines. Gomes explained that the use of stimulants in conjunction with opioids can create dangerous health complications, particularly for individuals with existing heart conditions.
Throughout the study period, a total of 15,952 opioid toxicity deaths were recorded in Ontario. However, employment data was only available for 3,534 of those individuals, with roughly half of them employed at the time of death. An additional 3,732 were known to be unemployed, but their last industry of employment was not specified. The coroner lacked employment information for 8,686 decedents, raising concerns about the ability to address the needs of those who may have been out of work for an extended period.
Shaleesa Ledlie, a senior research associate involved in the study, explained the challenges in data collection. The coroner's office investigates unexpected deaths in Ontario, and if family or friends are unsure about the deceased's last job, that information remains unrecorded. Ledlie noted that the lack of recent employment could indicate a heightened risk for adverse outcomes following job loss. This underscores the need for public health initiatives and industry stakeholders to extend their support beyond the workplace.
Dr. Leslie Buckley, chief of the addictions division at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, remarked on the significance of the report, stating it enhances understanding of the factors contributing to opioid overdoses in the trades. She emphasized the necessity for innovative solutions to mitigate the elevated risks faced by these workers as a crucial next step in addressing the crisis.

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