Construction industry safety challenges topped by inconsistent PPE wear

Inconsistent personal protective equipment (PPE) wear by workers is the construction industry’s greatest safety challenge, according to the 2025 Construction Industry Safety Challenges study by the J. J. Keller Center for Market Insights and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP).

The study says 54% of respondents reported concerns over PPE wear. Some 48% were only “somewhat confident” to “not confident at all” that their current training prepares employees to perform the job safely and in compliance with regulations.

Fifty one percent take employee mental health only “somewhat seriously” or “not at all seriously.” Some 38% of respondents say they lack a proactive approach to safety and regulatory compliance.

Job site safety was third among the top three challenges cited by respondents. Second was rising material costs, and the top challenge was labor shortages.