Taking a 360 Approach to Construction Workforce Safety

Construction organizations today can broaden their approach to workforce safety by considering worker engagement, stress management, skills development, and the strategic use of technology. Construction Safety Week 2025, taking place May 5–9, offers a timely moment for leaders to reflect on how to enhance or expand safety strategies to meet the needs of the modern workforce.

Beyond the Job Site

While planning for site-specific risks, such as materials, weather, landscape, and workforce composition, remains critical, construction leaders are increasingly encouraged to consider factors that impact safety beyond the physical job site. Mental health, stress management, and professional development are emerging as important areas that contribute to a safer, more engaged workforce.

Engagement and Stress

According to the ADP Research Institute’s “People at Work 2025” report, based on a survey of nearly 38,000 workers worldwide, only 20 percent of employees in construction and related trades report being fully engaged. Although construction ranks relatively high compared to other industries, the data suggests considerable room for improvement.

The report defines engagement as an emotional state that drives individuals to perform their best work consistently. Additionally, 60 percent of U.S. workers describe themselves as “rattled” at work, experiencing fluctuating good and bad days, while 24 percent report “thriving” and 17 percent report feeling “overloaded” by stress.

Given the high-stakes environment of a construction site, even small lapses in attention can have serious consequences. Building a healthier workforce includes not only physical safety measures but also initiatives to boost emotional well-being and stress management.

Research also indicates the critical role of team leaders in driving engagement. When a leader is fully engaged, 65 percent of their team members report full engagement; when a leader is not engaged, that number drops to less than 1 percent. Assessing team structure, leadership effectiveness, and communication dynamics can offer pathways to improved safety outcomes.

Skills Development

Skills development is another key component of a holistic safety strategy. According to the same ADP study, only 25 percent of North American construction workers strongly agree they possess the skills needed to advance their careers, and just 21 percent strongly agree their employer invests in their growth.

Confidence in one’s ability to handle complex tasks and equipment can significantly reduce workplace risk. Providing regular opportunities for skills training, particularly through mobile learning platforms, helps workers stay current with safety protocols and equipment handling best practices.

Continuous learning programs, accessible anytime via mobile devices, can also help spread a culture of safety across an organization, as workers who consume and apply safety-related content influence their peers.

Leveraging Technology

Incorporating workforce management technology is another important piece of the safety equation. Mobile-accessible tools that support frequent employee check-ins, track engagement trends, and offer on-demand learning resources can help employers identify and address safety gaps before they lead to incidents.

Mobile solutions allow workers to provide feedback on their work experience, engagement levels, and training needs. Over time, this data can inform strategies to boost engagement, reduce stress, and promote continuous safety improvements.

By reducing barriers to professional development and streamlining communication through mobile-first technologies, construction companies can better meet the needs of a dynamic workforce.

Conclusion

Construction workforce safety must go beyond physical protections on the job site. A 360-degree approach—incorporating engagement, mental health, skills development, and smart technology use—can create safer, stronger, and more resilient teams.

As competition for skilled workers remains intense, organizations that invest in holistic safety strategies may find an advantage not only in workplace safety outcomes but also in recruiting and retaining top talent.

Source: OHS Online

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