A recent survey from J. J. Keller & Associates Inc. and the American Society of Safety Professionals shows 32% of construction professionals identified job-site safety as a challenge, following only labor shortages (38%) and rising material costs (35%), according to Safety+Health magazine. Twenty-five percent of respondents cited training and onboarding, and 24% cited equipment maintenance or availability.
Other survey findings included:
- Nearly 2 of 5 respondents said their company lacks a “proactive approach to safety and regulatory compliance.”
- Fifty-one percent said worker mental health is taken “somewhat seriously” or “not at all seriously.”
- Fifty-four percent reported inconsistent use of personal protective equipment.
- Forty-eight percent were “somewhat confident” or “not confident at all” that their current training prepares employees to perform the job safely and in compliance with regulations.
A corresponding report identifies challenges construction professionals must overcome to improve safety, including navigating evolving regulations and standards; overcoming the “this is how it’s always been done” mindset; effectively communicating at all levels; and ensuring workers are well-informed and understand the information.
Be sure to check out NRCA’s health and safety resources to help your company stay on top of safety.