New Study Reveals Labor Shortages, Costs and Safety Gaps as Top Construction Industry Challenges
A 2025 benchmark report from J. J. Keller and ASSP highlights pressing issues like inconsistent PPE use, inadequate training and limited mental health support affecting job-site performance nationwide.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Dec 02, 2025
New research from the J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) finds that labor shortages, costs, and on-site risks remain the biggest obstacles to safety in the construction industry. The 2025 benchmark study also flags serious gaps in training, mental health support, and proactive safety management.
Study details
The 2025 Construction Industry Safety Challenges study, released Tuesday by the J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights in partnership with ASSP, analyzes current safety and compliance pressures facing construction employers nationwide. The report is designed to give construction leaders a clearer view of how these issues are shaping job-site practices and overall performance.
Top challenges
Surveyed professionals cited labor shortages (38%), rising material costs (35%) and job site safety (32%) as their top challenges. Respondents also reported that inconsistent personal protective equipment use is their biggest PPE hurdle, with 54% saying workers do not wear required gear consistently.
Training and safety culture concerns
Nearly half of respondents — 48% — said they are only somewhat confident or not confident at all that their current training adequately prepares employees to work safely and meet regulatory requirements. Another 38% said their organizations lack a proactive approach to safety and compliance, indicating many companies are still reacting to incidents instead of preventing them.
Mental health and worker well-being
The study also highlights limited attention to employee mental health: 51% of respondents said their organizations take worker mental health only somewhat seriously or not at all seriously. Researchers say that the finding underscores the need to better integrate mental health and wellness into construction safety programs.
Expert commentary and access
“Improving safety in construction requires current data to help us better understand the obstacles that safety professionals face every day,” said Ray Chishti, senior EHS editor at J. J. Keller & Associates Inc. “Real-world insights are essential for building safer, healthier job sites, and this study provides a critical picture of where the industry stands and where it needs to go to strengthen safety cultures.”
“In an industry where safety risks are prominent, understanding the unique challenges faced by construction professionals is critical for creating a safer future,” said Gabriel Atencio, CSP, CHST, STSC, administrator of the Construction Practice Specialty member community at ASSP. He said the findings are meant to spark conversations and drive changes that support safer working conditions across the sector.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.