The construction worker shortage is being taken seriously, and there is a real need for more individuals to train to operate heavy machinery and equipment and also perform the different tasks required in the construction industry.

Associated Builders and Contractors, the construction industry will need to add an additional 650,000 workers on top of its normal growth pace just to keep up with the demand during the year.

According to Census Bureau Job-to-Job flow data, an estimated 1.2 million construction workers left their jobs to go to work in other industries in 2022, but that was offset by 1.3 million workers who left other industries to work in construction.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that there has been an 8% decline in the number of construction workers ages 25 to 54 during the last decade. They also report the average retirement age of someone who works in construction is currently 61. More than 1 out of every 5 construction workers is age 55 or older, according to reports.

So, to sum it up, if you are looking for a career that offers stability and job security, training for a career in construction would be a smart move right now. Associated Training Services (ATS) offers a variety of training opportunities, and financial aid is available.

Offering everything from CDL training to rigging and signalperson and crane operator certifications, ATS can help you get your career on the right track.

National nonresidential construction spending increased by 1.9% during the month of April, according to a report published by the U.S. Census Bureau that was associated with an analysis conducted by the Associated Builders and Contractors. Non-residential spending totaled $1.05 trillion when seasonally adjusted.

Further data released estimated that construction job openings are expected to increase by at least 68,000 by the end of April. Data was based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Job Turnover Survey.

A job opening is any unfilled position that an employer is recruiting for. While job openings have increased this year, they are down by 35,000 openings for the same month last year. Looking toward the reset of the year, many experts expect the number of job openings to continue to climb because construction projects are still in demand, and with infrastructure projects slated throughout the country, there will be more openings for construction workers.

Nonresidential Projects

While residential construction is down, there is still a need for workers to handle nonresidential construction projects. The number of manufacturing construction jobs continue to increase as do the number of nonresidential projects as a whole. Infrastructure jobs also require a number of construction workers  to complete the job.

Those who work outdoors, such as those working in construction, should be aware of the different kinds of injuries or illnesses that you can get from the cold temperatures as well as exposure to snow and ice.

Hypothermia is a big concern when construction crews are working outside in frigid temperatures. This is especially true when the wild chill is factored in. Hypothermia happens when your body temperature drops too low then you are not able to raise it back up on your own.

Body temperature plays an integral role in the functioning of your bodily organs. If your body is too cold, then your heart cannot pump, you will have difficulty breathing, and you will experience organ failure.

If anyone is showing any symptoms of hypothermia, you should see that they get immediate medical care by calling 911.

Here are some of the symptoms of frostbite:

• Memory loss
• Shivering
• Instability when standing
• Slurred speech
• Confusion
• Extreme tiredness

Frostbite is also a common problem. When a body part is exposed to frigid temperatures for extensive timeframes, frostbite can develop. Frostbite can also happen when you wear clothing that is wet when it is very cold. The dampness could be from water, sweat, or other substances.

Frostbite damages tissue in a certain area, such as the toes, fingers, or nose, and cuts off the blood flow. Some of the signs that an individual should be aware of include:

• Blisters when warming up
• Prickling feeling
• Numbness
• Extremely cold skin
• Blue or white coloring to the skin
• Extremely cold skin

Winter weather can add to the existing hazards one faces when working on construction. When there is a risk of snow and ice or even blustery winds, you need to take the proper precautions to help ensure the safety of your crew at the job site.

Strong winds, snow, and ice increase the risk of falls, so make sure the crew wears boots with good traction. Frostbite is also a risk, so make sure your team knows to bundle up and recommend insulated boots.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that construction workers wear at least three layers of loose clothing to stay warm. When workers must drive in wintry conditions, they need to be familiar with proper winter maintenance for vehicles. They should also know how to drive safely in inclement weather conditions.

For those working outdoors, cold stress is a serious threat. That is when the body gets too cold then cannot warm itself up. That is a condition that requires immediate attention.

Every worker must be prepared for working in cold weather, and every employer must take preparing their employees for such weather seriously.

Be sure you and/or the team check the weather forecast and stay current on the latest weather patterns, so you can be prepared for anything that heads toward the job site.

Have an emergency kit readily available on the job site, so workers can get warmed up and get the care and attention that they need should an emergency arise.

There are many reasons people choose a career in construction. Here are some of the more common reasons that people choose to work in construction.

• You can see the results of your work. Your hard work pays off. You can see the finished project.
• You get to be outdoors. Your day is not spent in the office. Instead, you get to visit different construction sites and work on different projects.
• There are many different job opportunities, and you can choose different paths. You can train to do different jobs, so you can do various work duties. You may be a truck driver, a heavy equipment operator or you could be an expert carpenter or work in masonry.
• You have job stability. There is a shortage of construction workers, and workers are always in demand. You will not have trouble finding work.
• The construction industry will always be needed. There will always be a need for new construction projects, and there will always be a need for construction workers.

If you are serious about choosing a career that will give you job satisfaction, construction should be on your shortlist. To learn more about construction opportunities, talk with an educational facility that specializes in training programs for construction workers.

ATS offers specialized training and has payment options available. Call to speak with a representative about the options available.

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most threatening hazards that construction workers can face. According to the statistics, about 15 percent of all work-related deaths are from these kinds of incidents. Slips, trips, and falls are expensive to employers as well, costing about $11 billion annually. You need to make sure you know how to prevent a workplace slip, trip, or fall as a construction worker. Here is a closer look.

The 2013 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index reported that falls resulting from slips or trips were the second leading reason for workplace fatalities and injuries. These incidents are just right behind motor vehicle accidents. Slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of emergency room visits.

Here are some things to keep watch for:

• Loose rugs or mats
• Walking surfaces that are not level
• Poor lighting
• Obstructed views
• Wires and cables that are not covered
• Clutter
• Preventing falls and slips

There are several things that you can do to prevent workplace slips, trips, and falls.

• Clean up as you go, and don’t leave things lying around
• Wear slip-resistant shoes
• Use extra care on uneven surfaces
• Use caution on wet surfaces
• Clean up spills
• Mop or sweep up debris
• Clear walkways
• Cover cables and wires
• Make sure the area is well lit
• Check for fall hazards
• Salt highly traveled areas during winter months
• Clean your work area at the end of the shift
• Be attentive to where you are walking

Wind chill index

For those working outside, knowing the weather forecast is important. Also, having the proper gear for all seasons is essential to the health and safety of construction workers. But in the winter months, temperatures can be misleading. This is a closer look at how the wind chill index can come into play.

Low temperatures and cold weather should be of enough concern, but when the wind is factored in, it can often feel much colder. Wind gusts of 20 miles per hour can make 10 degrees feel like it is 9 below, so you need to be prepared for what the wind blows your way.

When there is wind present along with the colder temperatures, the National Weather Service will issue wind chill advisories or wind chill warnings. That is to alert individuals of the dangers present while outside in frigid conditions.

Tips for working in frigid conditions:

• Stay alert and watch for hazards
• Be attentive to coworkers and notice if they are experiencing difficulty
• Take breaks regularly, and find a warm place to spend a few minutes
• Sometimes it turns cold fast, so make sure you take the time for your body to acclimate to the weather conditions and temperatures
• If you have the ability to avoid working in the most extreme conditions, take the day off
• Drink warm beverages, such as coffee or hot tea, to help keep your body temperature up
• Layer up because wet clothing can harm your body

By making sure you are ready for what the winter weather throws your way, you can reduce the risk of physical harm to yourself or your crew.

We have all heard the horror stories of being the only woman employed by a company or the only female at a job site. In these situations, women sometimes are mistreated, and there are reports of some companies not even offering these women a restroom they can use while on the job.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women comprised only 10 percent of the construction workforce across the U.S. in 2018. The Office of the New York State Comptroller reported that 43,500 construction jobs were added in the state’s construction sector from 2010 to 2018, which was a 40 percent growth. But, despite the growth in the field and the increase in jobs, the percentage of women in the construction workforce has leveled off – seeing only 3 percent growth from 2007 to 2017, they reported.

However, many of the women who have chosen to enter the construction field have excelled in their profession and recommend the field to other women. With determination, hard work, and proper training, the construction industry offers excellent opportunities for a successful career for women as well as men.

Tips for Women Entering the Construction Industry

If you are a woman interested in a career in the construction industry, you should learn from the best. Here are some tips:

• The first step in a successful career is to make sure you learn from experienced professionals. You want to start your job knowing how to safely and accurately handle the tasks.
• You should be confident, and don’t let anyone put you down or talk you down. After training, you are heading to the jobsite just as qualified as anyone else out there.
• Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Take the time to expand your knowledge and get a holistic view of the construction industry.
• Don’t be afraid to seek the skills that you want so you can take on other roles.

If you are ready to switch to the construction industry, call ATS (800) 383-7364.

If you work construction, you know that the cold temperatures can wreak havoc on your body. You need to make sure you have the right winter gear to keep you warm during those colder months. If you work in construction, here are some of the basic items you need to have in your closet:

• Insulated boots
• Sweatshirts
• Hoodies
• Thermal underwear
• Work jackets
• Base layer clothing
• Work pants
• Insulate gloves
• Work shirts
• Hard hat liners
• Beanies
• Insulated socks
• Hand warmers
• Footwarmers
• Coat

You should also have waterproof boots and a rain jacket. During the winter months, you may work in snow and ice, so you want to make sure you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws your way. Always take along a change of clothing in case you get wet while on the job because you don’t want to get wet and stay out in the cold temperatures.

You should know how to properly layer clothing, so you can make sure you are warm in the extremely cold temperatures, but also have the flexibility of taking off layers as you warm up during the workday. It is important for anyone who operates heavy machinery, or who does any kind of construction work or works in an agricultural role, to have the proper clothing and gear for all seasons.

Winter Gear Gift Ideas

If you have someone on your holiday gift-buying list who has a job that sends them outdoors frequently, you may want to consider buying them some winter gear because that is a gift that will serve them well for a long time to come and it can help them stay warm and healthy.

There are many high-quality manufacturers of winter gear for those who work outdoors, and they are available at many different stores and online. Some of the leading brands include North Face, Duluth Trading Company, Carhartt, Lincoln Outfitters,  Rocky, C.E. Schmidt, Berne, and Scully.

If you have a construction worker on your Christmas list, you may be left wondering would be a gift they will appreciate and, also get plenty of use out of. Here are a few of the top gift ideas for someone who works in construction.

• Dual-port car chargers – Spending a lot of time traveling from one job site to another, and working outdoors, they need to keep their smartphones and tablets charged. A dual-port car charger helps keep two devices ready to go.
• Portable rechargeable work lights – Cordless rechargeable work lights can provide up to 5 hours of light and will easily attach to different surfaces.
• All-weather pens or pencils – Construction workers often must write down details and in bad weather, that can be challenging. All-weather mechanical pencils and pens perform in extreme temperatures and provide waterproof writing.
• Bluetooth speakers – While these are common in homes, they are great gifts for job sites and in heavy machinery. Bluetooth speakers let you play your music without taking along CDs. Just plug in your phone or other device and listen.
• Tool totes – Tool bags with shoulder straps are available with a variety of pockets, so a variety of tools can easily be stored.
• Rugged electronic cases – Help them protect their laptops, tablets, or phones with a rugged case that helps protect them from being dropped, scratched, and exposed to dirt and dust.
• Lunch box – Get a heavy-duty construction site lunch box and not the old standard. As an example, the Stanley Heritage Cooler Thermos combo is leak-proof and comes with a locking handle to hold the thermos in its spot. It has a limited lifetime warranty.
• Heated gear – Nowadays there are many heated items besides just foot warmers and hand warmers. There are gloves, socks, hoodies, boots, and jackets available that are heated.

These are just a few gift ideas for the construction worker on your shopping list this holiday season.