Objectives Considering data sources and statistical trends on recent fatal cases resulting from workplace accidents in the Brazilian construction industry, herein two aspects are emphasised: a critical appraisal of the official registers on deaths resulting from work-related accidents, and a discussion on alternatives to achieve better information to support interventions in this sector.

Methods First, statistics and the variability in the profiles of death at work from 2000 to 2010 were analysed for construction industry according to the federal data sources on dimensions related to occupational health, working conditions and social security. Second, besides some difficulties in qualifying of fatal work accidents among the set of external causes of mortality, measurements has been taken in the description of work accidents classified into one of three categories: typical workplace accident; transport accident (that occurring during transport to and from work); work-related diseases.

Results In addition to presentation of specific rates and a set of indicators, a technical proposal is suggested for a more effective and realistic characterisation of the profile of mortality in workplaces by considering age, gender, education, occupation, as well the more frequent causes related to each type of accident. All of them as a condition to understand the main risks and to help teams of OSH facing the worst violence against workers.

Conclusions By reason of the high social and economic costs involving work accidents in Brazil, this study searches to provide a specific comprehension on fatal cases as well as some subsidies for the government to draw policies oriented to minimise risks in the workplaces of construction industry. However, mortality resulting from accidents in the informal labour market should be considered to overcome gap on information. After all, if the number of unemployed workers is underestimated, the number of underemployed has not been taken into account.