Survey shows safety is one of construction employers’ top challenges

December 10, 2025

Neenah, WI — Jobsite safety ranks among the top challenges construction companies face, according to the results of a recent survey.

J. J. Keller & Associates Inc., a provider of regulatory, safety and compliance solutions, and the American Society of Safety Professionals surveyed 719 construction professionals to gain insights into the industry’s evolving safety landscape. Respondents represented a wide range of construction trades.

Around 1 out of 3 of the respondents cited jobsite safety (32%) as a challenge. That followed labor shortages (38%) and rising material costs (35%). Training and onboarding (25%) and equipment maintenance or availability (24%) rounded out the top five.

Other key findings:

• Nearly 2 out of 5 of the respondents said their organization lacks a “proactive approach to safety and regulatory compliance.”

• 51% indicated that worker mental health is taken “somewhat seriously” or “not at all seriously.”

• Regarding personal protective equipment practices, 54% agreed that inconsistent use among workers is one of their greatest challenges.

• 48% were “somewhat confident” or “not confident at all” that their current training prepares employees to perform the job safely and in compliance with regulations.

A corresponding report on the survey results identifies six overarching challenges that construction pros must overcome to improve safety, health and compliance in the industry:

1.   Navigating evolving regulations and standards

2.    Overcoming the “this is how it’s always been done” mindset

3.     Effective communication among management, supervisors and workers

4.     Managing safety across multiple subcontractors and trades on jobsites

5.     Ensuring workers are well-informed and can comprehend information

6.     Addressing construction- and trade-specific workplace hazards

“Improving safety in construction requires current data to help us better understand the obstacles that safety professionals face every day,” Ray Chishti, senior environmental, health and safety editor at J. J. Keller, said in a press release. “Real-world insights are essential for building safer, healthier jobsites, and this study provides a critical picture of where the industry stands and where it needs to go to strengthen safety cultures.”