Strategies for Maintaining Safety Standards Amid a Labor Shortage

Why contractor assessment and safety monitoring matter more than ever.

• By David Tibbetts
• Nov 22, 2024

The construction industry faces a critical labor shortage, with over three-quarters of contractors struggling to fill open positions. Approximately 80 percent of these contractors cite the lack of skilled, experienced workers as a significant safety and health risk to their employees.

The sector’s safety challenges are underscored by government data identifying construction as the industry with the highest number of workplace fatalities. In 2022 alone, the U.S. construction industry experienced 1,069 worker fatalities, the highest of any sector, with a fatality rate of 9.6 per 100,000 full-time workers. This troubling safety record exacerbates the labor shortage by making the field less appealing to potential workers. Improving safety practices is crucial not only for protecting current employees but also for attracting new talent.

Labor shortages create intense pressure on construction teams. With fewer workers, crews must rush to meet deadlines, often at the expense of robust safety programs and training. Additionally, the urgent need to onboard inexperienced workers increases the likelihood of safety incidents.

General contractors (GCs) and project owners must focus on improving safety despite the ongoing staffing challenges. Implementing comprehensive contractor risk assessments and safety monitoring can help identify and mitigate risks proactively. A robust prequalification process combined with consistent on-site evaluations promotes continuous safety improvements, saving time, money and, most importantly, lives.

How Labor Shortages Escalate Safety Risks

Typically, contractors under pressure from labor shortages realize increased safety risk as a result of:

● Pressure to take shortcuts. With fewer workers, project teams face heavier workloads and tighter deadlines. This pressure often leads to cutting corners, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
● Inexperienced or unqualified workers. Contractors frequently resort to hiring less experienced workers due to a lack of candidates. A study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health revealed that first-year employees accounted for nearly half of all construction injuries.
● Neglected training. Understaffing often forces contractors to shorten or skip training sessions, leaving workers ill-prepared to handle job-specific hazards. The risks are especially pronounced when new hires lack foundational knowledge.
● Reduced supervision. Supervisors may divide their attention between operational and oversight tasks, leading to lapses in safety monitoring. Inexperienced managers may also fail to identify and address hazards effectively.
● Increased use of new subcontractors. GCs and project owners often work with unfamiliar subcontractors during shortages. Without a history of shared safety protocols, these partnerships require additional vetting and oversight to ensure compliance.

Moving Beyond Traditional Risk Indicators

Traditional safety metrics such as Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) and Days Away, Restricted Duty or Job Transfer (DART) case rates essentially provide a rear-view mirror. Research published in the Journal of Safety Research concluded that TRIR scores often fail to predict future safety outcomes due to their focus on past incidents.

These metrics also lack context. For instance, a minor injury and a severe accident are treated equally in TRIR calculations, obscuring the true level of risk. Furthermore, TRIR and DART scores provide no information on the root causes of incidents, making it difficult to prevent future occurrences.

Instead, GCs and project owners should incorporate leading indicators such as safety programs, training initiatives and management systems. Strong safety programs identify scope-specific risks and outline actionable mitigation strategies. Comprehensive safety management systems emphasize leadership engagement, regular audits and employee accountability.

For example, if a contractor has the necessary technical expertise but a subpar safety management system, project owners can collaborate with them to improve practices rather than disqualifying them outright. Such partnerships expand the pool of qualified contractors while maintaining safety standards.

Identifying Safety Gaps Through On-Site Inspections

Even contractors with strong safety policies may face challenges in execution. Regular on-site inspections allow GCs and project owners to identify and address issues in real time. Behavioral observations during audits can uncover unsafe practices, such as taking shortcuts to meet deadlines.

Data aggregation and analysis from these inspections enable teams to identify trends and implement corrective actions effectively. Collaborative solutions, such as enhanced training or increased accountability measures, strengthen safety outcomes and foster long-term partnerships between contractors and owners.

The Role of Technology in Enhancing Safety

Emerging technologies offer powerful tools for improving construction safety. Artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing can analyze safety programs, identifying areas of concern without the need for extensive manual review. Advanced AI systems can also monitor on-site conditions, using video feeds to detect hazards and alert supervisors immediately.

These innovations are transforming safety management, helping companies reduce risks while navigating labor shortages. By prioritizing predictive safety measures and fostering collaboration, the construction industry can protect workers and maintain high standards even in challenging times.

Addressing safety challenges amid a labor shortage requires a proactive, multifaceted approach. By adopting predictive safety measures, strengthening contractor risk assessments and leveraging technology, the construction industry can mitigate risks and build safer work environments. These strategies not only protect workers but also enhance operational efficiency and improve the industry’s appeal to new talent. While the road ahead may be challenging, prioritizing safety will ensure long-term success for contractors, project owners and the workforce alike.