A recent survey from Neenah-based compliance firm J. J. Keller & Associates found labor shortages, rising material costs and job site safety are top challenges facing construction companies.
The company’s research arm, the J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights, yesterday issued the study results alongside the American Society of Safety Professionals.
When asked about the biggest industries at the moment, 38% of those surveyed pointed to labor shortages while 35% said rising material costs and 32% said job site safety. That was followed by training and onboarding with 25%, equipment maintenance or availability with 24% and subcontractor management with 16%.
Ray Chishti, senior environmental health and safety editor for the Neenah company, says labor shortages can “pressure workers” to cut corners.
“Crosstraining crews and using smart scheduling tools help cover labor gaps without risking safety,” he said in the report. “Safe job sites are productive job sites — preventing incidents protects both your budget and your schedule.”
Report authors also highlight “unmet” safety and compliance needs in the sector, including training that’s more tailored to specific industry applications and better ways to engage the workforce.
“Engaging workers and subcontractors in safety is a significant concern,” they wrote. “There’s a need to develop safety cultures that extend beyond meeting minimum compliance requirements.”
The online survey tapped 719 respondents between late June and early July, including a mix of J. J. Keller customers and ASSP members, as well as others reached through social media and industry publications. The most common trade among respondents was general contracting with 23%, followed by electrical with 8% and carpentry and framing, also with 8%.
See the report.
