Recent findings from a survey conducted during a forum on labor safety in the construction industry underscore persistent industrial accidents in the sector, attributed mainly to three interrelated factors: inadequate construction budgets, an aging workforce lacking necessary skills, and illegal subcontracting. The survey included responses from a diverse group of 251 individuals including safety managers, union officials, and executives from both general and specialty construction firms. Survey participants identified construction cost reductions and a lack of skills and management for an aging workforce as critical issues impacting safety and accident rates in construction sites.

The survey highlighted that construction executives primarily view the increasing average age and skill deficits of their workforce as problematic. Additionally, they emphasized the repercussions of cost-cutting measures within their companies. Safety managers corroborated these concerns but also mentioned deficiencies in managing smaller construction sites as another contributing factor. Union representatives, however, expressed their concerns from a different angle, citing illegal subcontracting as a major source of accidents along with pressures from reduced budgets and insufficient governmental oversight.

The findings also reflect broader systemic issues within the industry; young workers are increasingly hesitant to enter construction due to perceptions of high physical demands, job insecurity, and overall negative societal attitudes toward the profession. The research suggests that these deep-seated issues may eventually require not only improved financial compensation but also policy reforms such as the implementation of an adequate wage system to address the fundamental causes of safety failures in the construction sector, thereby improving working conditions and safety outcomes for all stakeholders.