Worker shortages hurt construction site safety
Experts at the annual IRMI Construction Risk Conference in the U.S. emphasized that construction firms facing worker shortages and frequent turnover cannot address safety challenges through improved safety initiatives alone. Instead, they highlighted the importance of strategic workforce planning, crew oversight, and clear expectations for inexperienced employees.
Jesse Torres, Granite Construction’s corporate compliance safety director, and Katie Stryker, a risk control specialist at insurer CNA, noted that the industry continuously hires workers who lack the expertise of those departing. This knowledge deficit impacts not only workplace safety but also overall project quality and efficiency, they explained.
Stryker pointed out that the average construction worker is roughly 42.5 years old, meaning many possess 20 years or more of hands-on experience. When these veterans retire or suffer injuries, critical institutional knowledge disappears. She stressed that companies must prepare for a steady influx of newcomers rather than merely replacing outgoing staff.
Torres expressed concern over the rise of inexperienced frontline supervisors filling leadership roles. Many are promoted rapidly due to their tech proficiency but are then expected to juggle production demands, safety protocols, and administrative tasks simultaneously.
According to Stryker, citing CNA data and broader workers’ compensation records, employees with less than a year of experience account for the majority of workplace injury claims. Additionally, the U.S. National Safety Council reports that roughly one-third of missed-work injuries involve workers in their first year on the job.
The conference speakers advised businesses to adopt a broad definition of “new worker” when designing training and onboarding programs. This includes not only recent hires but also employees transitioning from other companies, workers assigned to unfamiliar tasks, seasonal staff, and individuals returning from injury or leave.
Panelists observed that workplace risks evolve significantly during a new hire’s first 90 days. The initial 30-day period poses the highest danger, as workers handle unfamiliar sites and teams. Over time, they may grow complacent and adopt unsafe shortcuts, while supervisors often reduce supervision after around 60 days.
Torres revealed that Granite has detected an increase in injuries occurring between days 61 and 90 this year, prompting a review of internal data to identify underlying causes. He recounted a case where a Spanish-speaking rig hand lost a foot on his fourth day—a tragic incident showing the need for effective training and clear communication.
Both experts stressed that organizations should examine systemic issues rather than assign blame to individual workers. Torres cited Granite’s collaboration with a power tool manufacturer to standardize equipment, which reduced hand injuries and improved training consistency. On multi-contractor sites, Granite integrates subcontractors into early safety discussions, treating them as essential partners.
