As the construction labor shortage continues making headlines, companies everywhere find themselves getting creative when it comes to hiring, or simply learning to get the job done with a leaner crew. Concrete and construction teams are an industrious bunch, and even though they’re finding ways to make it work, it doesn’t mean they aren’t coming up against obstacles. Here, we’ve pulled together a few construction labor shortage factors companies should take into consideration — tips to keep crew members safe, operations on track and work moving forward on schedule.
Smaller Crews Can Create Safety Risks on the Job
When you have fewer people attempting to tackle a full crew’s allotment of work, something is bound to give. In some instances, safety guidelines or industry best practices might fall by the wayside, leading to an increased risk of injury — or costly errors that result in your team redoing work. Understaffed crews often lead to situations where team members lose the luxury of regular breaks. Without adequate time to rest and recharge, crew members find themselves at risk of exhaustion and mental fatigue, not to mention environmental concerns such as heat-related illness. Regular check-ins regarding team member morale — and a safety-focused approach to every task a crew takes on — can help. Consider touching base during your team’s toolbox talks to ensure everyone is healthy, happy and on the same page.
Having Fewer Crew Members Can Throw Schedules Off-Course
The current construction labor shortage means many companies are taking on elaborate projects with fewer hands on deck. In such scenarios, even seemingly minor issues such as crew members calling in sick or weather delays can result in roadblocks that make it difficult to remain on schedule. Laying out realistic timeline expectations — and maintaining regular communication with the client — can help keep business relationships strong. Before breaking ground on a project, consult with your team regarding the work as a whole. How long would such work take under regular circumstances? What about with current crew numbers? (Be honest!) Once you have a general idea of how long your project will realistically take, factor in a bit of extra time, just in case unexpected delays arise. In the best-case scenario, work moves along without a hitch and you finish ahead of schedule. If trouble were to arise, that extra wiggle room makes it easier to meet your anticipated deadline. Of course, it’s a good idea to keep the client clued in every step of the way, making them aware of everything from project progress to unanticipated holdups.
Staffing Strains Can Place Your Fleet and Equipment at Risk
When your crew is stretched thin and you’re working at breakneck pace, day-to-day considerations such as routine maintenance tend to fall to the back burner. That can have costly repercussions for your business as a whole. After all, maintenance is your first line of defense against wear and tear that can place your team members in harm’s way — and mechanical issues which can bring work to a halt and require budget-breaking repairs and replacements. We recommend working maintenance appointments into your team’s schedule well in advance so they don’t wind up forgotten, and so your work can continue unimpeded. Remember, experts recommend having your ready mix truck drums and central mixers chipped on three-month intervals. Your cement silos also require maintenance on about the same timeline to keep them free of clumps and clogs. Working such appointments into busy schedules isn’t always easy, but rest assured your equipment (and bottom line) will thank you.
The construction labor shortage has introduced all sorts of complications into the mix for companies of all sizes. By keeping a level head and taking a strategic approach to maintenance, safety and scheduling considerations, however, crews like yours can still come out ahead. If you have questions about anything you’ve read, or if you’re interested in learning more about General Chipping’s ready mix drum chipping, cement silo cleaning or central mixer cleaning offerings, feel free to reach out. Our team is here to serve 24/7, and we would love to hear from you.
