Labor Shortages And Safety Issues
According to Association of Equipment Manufacturers, “there are around 11 million positions open, but 5 million fewer people employed than before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The current labor shortage is impacting all industries, including manufacturing and construction.
Construction Industry Labor Shortages
According to the construction software company, Propeller, the construction industry labor shortage has actually been a problem for more than 10 years, but the “COVID-19 pandemic” and the country’s current labor shortage have both “put even more pressure on an already understaffed workforce.”
Breaking Ground, the official digital publication of National Center for Construction Education & Research, stated in a recent article that in 2022, “finding and hiring skilled workers continues to be one of its greatest challenges.”
Consequences of Construction Industry Labor Shortages
Labor shortages have greatly impacted the construction industry and led to:
- Decreased quality of work
- Decreased productivity
- Stalled completion dates
- Longer hours for current employees
- Less experienced workers on job sites
These negative consequences of construction industry labor shortages are definitely challenging. But, the worst consequence of these labor shortages in the construction industry is the safety issues and associated injuries of not having enough employees on construction sites.
According to Risk & Insurance, “construction still produces the lion’s share of workplace injuries.” And, construction injuries are expected to worsen due to the country’s current shortage of labor.
Manufacturing Industry Labor Shortages
The same goes for the manufacturing industry. According to a study published by Deloitte Insights, “manufactures are struggling to fill critical jobs.” In fact, employers in the manufacturing industry are finding it “36% more difficult to find talent today than in 2018”
And this trend doesn’t seem to have an end in sight. The Deloitte Insights study also further asserts that “US manufacturing is expected to have 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030.”
Risks of Manufacturing Industry Labor Shortages
According to LIberty Mutual Insurance, there are three huge risks of our country’s current manufacturing labor shortage:
- Workplace Injuries
- Product Liability
- Equipment Breakdown
Your Company’s Solution for Labor Shortage Safety Issues
HealthSafe can provide the safety expertise needed during times when labor shortages can cause safety issues. Keeping workers safe and workplaces accident-free is our greatest mission. We can provide safety consultations, worksite staffing, job site safety, and OSHA compliance.
To learn more about how we can help make your worksite safer during these trying times, fill out our contact form or give us a call at 1-888-290-8949. Let us help you find the right safety professional today!
Sources:
https://riskandinsurance.com/sponsored-9-risks-being-heightened-by-the-growing-labor-shortage/
https://www.aem.org/news/the-labor-shortage-how-to-address-one-of-manufacturings-biggest-problems
