Construction Industry Trends: August 2018 Roundup

As the end of the summer approaches, many contractors still find themselves busy with seasonal jobs and many face a backlog of work. We know it’s a hectic time for many of our customers. Even if you’re busy, we recommend taking a look at this month’s top headlines in construction news, especially since some pertain to seasonal safety and the industry’s labor market. So take a moment and see what stories you should act on now and keep on your radar.

Construction Jobless Rate Hits 18-Year Low, Industry Adds 19,000 Jobs

ENR reported this month that the July unemployment rate in the construction industry fell to 3.4 percent, the lowest monthly number since at least January 2000 (the first time the Bureau of Labor Statistics tracked monthly unemployment data in construction). That percentage is significantly lower than both June’s unemployment rate (4.7 percent) and last July’s rate (4.9 percent). According to the Associated Builders and Contractors’ chief economist, this means contractors will continue to struggle to find workers.

The takeaway: This type of data has an upside and a downside. It means contractors are busy with projects and construction workers have plenty of work to do, too. But it also means contractors may find themselves limited in the number of projects they can take on due to the lack of available skilled labor. Keep an eye on this story, as it will likely affect our industry for a while.

Lawmakers Push for Innovative Materials in National Infrastructure

A bipartisan group of senators introduced a bill called the Innovative Materials for America’s Growth and Infrastructure Newly Expanded (IMAGINE) Act, which could increase investment in new materials for infrastructure projects like roads and water systems. Construction Dive reported that materials listed in the bill include high-performance asphalt and concrete, advanced alloys and metals and advanced polymers. The goal of the act is to speed up construction timelines and build a more resilient infrastructure.

The takeaway: If you’re a contractor involved in infrastructure projects, you might see a push for more innovative materials in projects you bid on if this bill becomes a law. Even if you don’t work in infrastructure, this bill indicates that many members of Congress would like to see new materials become more prevalent. And if innovative materials become more prevalent in infrastructure, we may begin to see them in other types of construction as well.

OSHA to Employers: Consider Screening Workers for Heat Stress When Index Hits 85 Degrees

According to Safety+Health magazine, researchers at OSHA and the National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently examined cases of outdoor work-related heat illnesses. They concluded that OSHA’s threshold for occupational heat risks — currently 91 degrees — should be lowered to 85 degrees. That means employers should start screening for heat illnesses sooner than previously thought. The agencies also emphasized the importance of having a heat stress prevention program that focuses on acclimatization, first aid, fluids, rest and more.

The takeaway: It may be late August already, but in many parts of the country high temperatures still pose a threat to workers. If your employees work outdoors in the heat, make sure everyone knows the signs of heat stress and follows procedures for working safely. If you don’t have a heat stress prevention program in place, create one.