New Study Highlights Top Safety Challenges in the Construction Industry
The collaborative 2025 study was conducted by the J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
For immediate release (December 3, 2025)
Neenah, WI - The J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights in collaboration with the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has released their 2025 Construction Industry Safety Challenges study.
This benchmark report gives construction professionals a clearer picture of today’s most pressing safety and compliance issues and how they’re affecting job site practices and overall performance.
Key Industry Insights:
- Labor shortages (38%), rising material costs (35%) and job site safety (32%) were the top three challenges cited by respondents
- 54% reported that inconsistent wear by workers was the greatest challenge to PPE practices
- 51% take employee mental health only “somewhat seriously” or “not at all seriously”
- 48% were only “somewhat confident” to “not confident at all” their current training prepares employees to perform the job safely and in compliance with regulations
- 38% lack a proactive approach to safety and regulatory compliance
The full study is available for free to the public via J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. or the ASSP website.
“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.”
The study covers areas ranging from the greatest safety and compliance challenges to top unmet needs, approaches to safety performance, PPE usage, training program initiatives, advanced technology adoption, and employee mental health and wellness.
“In an industry where safety risks are prominent, understanding the unique challenges faced by construction professionals is critical for creating a safer future,” added Gabriel Atencio, CSP, CHST, STSC, Administrator of the Construction Practice Specialty member community at ASSP. “This study uncovers the current conditions in order to spark essential conversations and drive meaningful change toward a safer working environment for everyone involved.”
About the J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights
The J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights is the collaborative research arm of J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. The center originated in 2019 with a focus on sharing, with the public, trends and insights from an abundance of safety and compliance data gathered by J. J. Keller over decades serving more than 500,000 customers across the United States. Through historical data, new proprietary studies and partnerships with reputable, research-focused third-party organizations, the center publishes ongoing reports to spur discussion and advancements in safe, respectful workplaces, job sites and highways.
About the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) is a global association for occupational safety and health professionals. With more than 36,000 members, ASSP supports the safety profession through education, standards development, advocacy, and a vibrant professional community. ASSP provides evidence-based guidance to help organizations manage workplace risks, protect people, property, and the environment, and adapt to change. The organization is committed to advancing the safety profession and empowering its members through lifelong learning and career development.