Construction facing safety challenges as work picks up

The resurgence of the construction industry is, of course, good news, but it  also comes with challenges on the safety front, including shortages of experienced workers and managers.

One indicator of those challenges may be an increase in the construction industry’s fatality rate from 9.1 per 100,000 workers in 2011 to 9.5 in 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Although it should also be noted that the 2012 rate was still quite a bit below the pre-recession rate of 11.2 in 2006.)

A recent report by Marsh Risk Consulting cites a shortage of skilled construction workers in markets across the country, including Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Phoenix. Construction job openings increased in June to 133,000, marking a 30% rise over the prior month, the largest percentage change of any industry and the highest number of job opportunities in construction since May 2008.

“The increase in new construction activity is bringing an influx of new, inexperienced workers,” the report says. “In this environment, some contractors are stretching their hiring standards to meet project demands.”

The report goes on to say that in some cases workers are being promoted to management without sufficient preparation, creating another safety concern.

“As the economy grows and the number of new construction projects picks up, now is not the time to be lax on safety,” John Moore, a construction safety specialist in Marsh Risk Consulting’s workforce strategies practice, said in a statement. “Inadequate safety performance can lead to employee turnover and various legal, financial and reputational risks. Investing in high-quality leadership will go a long way toward retaining valued workers and maintaining a safe work environment.”