The National Center for Construction Education and Research reports about 41% of the current construction workforce is projected to retire by 2031, so new hires will be crucial to the industry.
However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports employees with less than one year on the job account for 35% of workplace injuries.
Inexperienced workers typically get hurt because they are still learning. They may be unfamiliar with equipment, do not feel comfortable questioning unsafe behavior or feel pressure to keep up with experienced co-workers.
As workers retire and new hires enter the industry, it is important construction company leaders know how to share knowledge and emphasize safety. For Construction Pros shares the following strategies to help keep workers safe as the workforce shifts.
- Start safety before the first day. Leaders should begin safety conversations during hiring to build a culture of safety before the physical work begins. You should include safety in job postings and interviews; vet candidates with background checks, reference calls and motor vehicle records; ask safety-focused interview questions; emphasize workers’ authority to stop unsafe work without fear of retaliation; and explain how safety decisions are enforced.
- Make the first 90 days count. Injury risk is highest during a worker’s first year on the job. During onboarding, focus on hands-on training, especially related to safety; designating a mentor by pairing new hires with safety-focused experienced employees; and setting a realistic pace by not assigning new hires to complex or high-risk tasks before they are ready.
- Transfer knowledge before it is gone. When knowledge is not intentionally transferred, new hires are left unprepared. Be sure to pair experienced workers with new hires during inspections or walkthroughs; ask seasoned employees to lead safety talks tied to real incidents; document lessons learned after near-misses and close calls; and involve experienced workers when updating safety procedures.
- Normalize speaking up. New workers especially may be hesitant to speak up about unsafe behavior. Be sure to emphasize stopping unsafe work is expected; encourage peer-to-peer correction; respond quickly and calmly when concerns arise; and avoid blaming language and focus on solutions when an issue occurs.
- Reinforce safety daily. Regular reinforcement of safety principles is key. You can keep safety at top of mind with brief safety talks during shift changes; supervisors consistently modeling safe behavior; regular job-site inspections with new workers; and immediate correction of hazards when identified.
- Balance accountability with trust. Transparency, consistency and involvement are important to younger generations. Ensure you offer clear expectations regarding what safe work looks like; explain what happens when standards are not met; and support employees who stop unsafe work.
- Measure what is working. Monitoring real behavior and identifying potential risks is vital. Indicators include first-year injury rates; near-miss reporting trends; training completion and refresh cycles; and repeat hazards or recurring incidents. Be sure to share results with your employees so they know how behavior needs to improve.
