Ladder Safety Training and Citations Survey
The American Ladder Institute (ALI), the sole approved developer of safety standards for the U.S. ladder industry, has released the findings from its 2024 Ladder Safety Training and Citations Survey. The survey provides valuable insights into preferred methods of ladder safety education, the types of ladder-related incidents and injuries, the frequency of ladder citations and trends compared to previous surveys conducted in 2016, 2018 and 2020.
The survey asked participants about ladder-related accidents or incidents at their organizations over the past two years. The most common causes identified were improper ladder setup, followed by using the wrong type of ladder for the job (e.g., incorrect length, material, or application).From 2020 to 2024, ladder-related accidents resulting in serious injury or death decreased by 21%.
The survey also revealed that nearly all organizations (98%) use some form of ladder safety training. Compared to previous years, there has been a noticeable increase in organizations that pay for safety training (35% in 2024, up from 28% in 2020). As in past years, more than 75% of organizations mandate ladder safety training, a practice they have consistently maintained.
Notably, organizations are not required to pay for ladder safety training. ALI offers comprehensive, completely free ladder safety training through its dedicated website, www.laddersafetytraining.org. The site offers a structured curriculum, training videos, and resource libraries—accessible year-round at no cost. These courses can easily supplement or fully integrate with an organization’s existing training program.
Trainers and managers can create customized dashboards via the site’s “Trainer’s Toolbox” to assign and track training modules, assess trainee performance, and monitor progress. Topics covered include single and extension ladders, articulated ladders, mobile ladders, and stepladders. Training is available in both English and Spanish.
Importantly, individuals do not need an invitation to participate. Anyone interested in enhancing their ladder safety awareness can sign up, take training, and complete tests on the site.
ALI emphasizes that ongoing ladder safety training is key to empowering workers to make safe decisions while using ladders. To further promote ladder safety, ALI observes National Ladder Safety Month every March, launching an intensive four-week educational outreach campaign. More details can be found at www.laddersafetymonth.com.
The 2024 Ladder Safety Training and Citations Survey was distributed to ladder safety managers and professionals by ALI’s Education and Outreach Committee, in collaboration with Thomas Associates, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio. This survey is part of ALI’s continuous efforts to reduce ladder-related incidents and encourage safety training for all ladder users, whether at work or home. View the full 2024 Ladder Safety Training and Citations Survey at https://bit.ly/42kzTsT
Construction Industry Must Attract 439,000 Workers in 2025
The construction industry will need to attract approximately 439,000 new workers in 2025 to meet the projected demand for construction services, according to a proprietary model developed by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). In 2026, this number is expected to rise to 499,000 as spending increases due to anticipated lower interest rates.
“Although the construction workforce has become younger and more abundant in recent years, the industry still needs to bring in 439,000 new workers in 2025 to keep up with demand,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “Failure to do so could lead to rising labor costs across the industry, further escalating already high construction costs and limiting the amount of work that can be completed affordably. Over the past year, average hourly earnings in the sector have increased by 4.4%, outpacing overall wage growth across all industries.”
ABC’s model uses historical data linking inflation-adjusted construction spending and payroll employment data to predict future workforce needs. This model calculates that every additional billion dollars in construction spending requires around 3,550 new workers. It also factors in current job openings, unemployment rates, and projected retirements and industry exits.
“This indicates a slight improvement in labor availability compared to recent years,” Basu noted. “Two key factors are contributing to this. First, construction spending is projected to grow at its slowest rate in years, particularly in sectors like homebuilding that are sensitive to interest rates. With rates expected to remain high in 2025 but likely decrease the following year, this could limit demand. Second, the workforce is younger than it’s been in recent years, with the median age now under 42 for the first time since 2011, which will slow the pace of retirements.”
Despite these improvements, Basu warned that contractors will still face challenges in filling positions, especially in areas with major manufacturing and data center projects. “Manufacturing alone accounts for over 20% of nonresidential construction spending, and those projects are absorbing a large portion of the labor force in their regions,” he said.
Michael Bellaman, ABC’s president and CEO, emphasized that the industry’s efforts to recruit workers gained momentum in 2024, but there is still work to be done to strengthen the talent pipeline. “The growing interest in construction careers among young people shows that utilizing practical technology and innovation in educational programs and job sites is crucial to boosting workforce productivity and efficiency,” he said. “ABC’s comprehensive workforce development strategy is focused on attracting new workers and upskilling them through apprenticeship programs, both industry-driven and government-registered.”
Basu also noted that the model could be conservative, predicting more severe worker shortages than anticipated for 2025. “While construction spending is expected to increase by less than 3% in 2025, the forecasts have consistently underestimated growth over the past three years,” he said. “If inflation subsides and borrowing costs decrease, construction volumes could rise more than expected. Additionally, immigration has bolstered the labor supply in recent years, and any changes to immigration policy could further impact worker availability.”
Bellaman added that a market-based, merit-based visa system could help alleviate the shortage. “ABC advocates for a visa system that enables individuals who want to work in construction legally to do so,” he said. “With the right policies, the industry can address workforce needs and continue rebuilding America’s infrastructure. The construction sector thrives when all 8.3 million workers have the chance to contribute to the country’s growth without unnecessary barriers.”
Bellaman also emphasized the potential impact of legislative action: “The Trump administration and Congress have a significant opportunity to pass policies that promote free enterprise, reduce regulatory burdens, and expand workforce development, benefiting all construction workers, regardless of union affiliation. Legislation like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the Employee Rights Act, the Fair and Open Competition Act, and permitting reform could help create the conditions needed for the industry to grow and support America’s infrastructure development.”Data Centers, Manufacturing Drive Construction Growth
National nonresidential construction spending dropped by 0.2% in December 2024, based on an analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending amounted to $1.241 trillion.
Spending decreased from November 2024 in 9 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending rose by 0.1 percent, while public nonresidential construction spending fell by 0.5 percent in December 2024.
“Public sector nonresidential spending saw a significant decline in December 2024, but this drop was likely temporary due to the transition between presidential administrations and cold weather, which delayed construction work,” said Anirban Basu, ABC’s chief economist.
“While public sector activity is expected to partially recover in the coming months, high interest rates and the rising trade tensions with Canada and Mexico will continue to impact many privately financed sectors.”
Basu also noted, “Private sector nonresidential momentum remains limited, concentrated mainly in two areas: data centers within the office category and manufacturing. These segments accounted for 94% of the growth in total nonresidential construction spending from December 2023 to December 2024. Activity in these segments, and perhaps only these segments, will continue to be strong despite rising construction costs.”Construction Material Prices High and Rising in the United States
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index revealed that U.S. construction material prices rose by 1.4% in January and have climbed 40.5% since February 2020. Experts predict that higher input costs are likely to continue.
This information comes from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a U.S.-based trade organization representing over 23,000 construction firms nationwide. According to ABC’s analysis, overall construction input prices are 1.3% higher than last year, while prices for non-residential construction inputs have risen by 0.7%.
Energy prices saw an increase across all three subcategories last month: crude petroleum rose by 14.8%, natural gas increased by 13.7%, and unprocessed energy materials were up by 13%.
ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu attributes this rapid price escalation to three main factors. “First, energy prices surged. Second, producers often raise their prices at the start of the year. Third, many buyers rushed to purchase inputs ahead of potential tariffs, which drove demand and pushed prices up.”
With the possibility of more tariffs looming, how could they impact the construction industry?
The recent news about potential tariffs on U.S. steel imports follows a pause on tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada. Basu pointed out that tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could further drive up costs.
“Tariffs could continue to push input prices higher in the coming months,” Basu explained. “Import taxes allow domestic producers to raise their prices, and if the new 25% levies on steel and aluminum remain in place, we will see that happen.”
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index indicates that a strong majority of contractors expect their sales to increase in the next six months. Given the combined effects of increased demand for construction inputs and ongoing supply chain issues, Basu suggests that input price increases could accelerate through the first half of 2025.
Steel Deck Institute Announces New Edition of AISI S100 Standard for Cold-Formed Steel
The Steel Deck Institute (SDI) announces the release of the ANSI/SDI AISI S100-2024 North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members. This updated edition replaces the 2016 version and its supplements.
In 2023, the SDI took over responsibility for 34 cold-formed steel standards previously managed by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) after AISI ceased supporting these critical standards. In 2024, SDI reaffirmed, updated, or completed the development of a new standard for 29 of the former AISI standards.
Additionally, 17 standards related to cold-formed steel framing have been transferred to the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), while 4 standards concerning metal building systems have been transferred to the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA).
The 2024 edition of the S100 Standard includes all revisions approved before AISI withdrew from standards development. This, along with the 29 other updated standards, is available for free download on the SDI website (https://sdi.org/codes-standards/former-aisi-standards).
Data Centers, Manufacturing Drive Construction Growth
National nonresidential construction spending dropped by 0.2% in December 2024, based on an analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending amounted to $1.241 trillion.
Spending decreased from November 2024 in 9 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending rose by 0.1 percent, while public nonresidential construction spending fell by 0.5 percent in December 2024.
“Public sector nonresidential spending saw a significant decline in December 2024, but this drop was likely temporary due to the transition between presidential administrations and cold weather, which delayed construction work,” said Anirban Basu, ABC’s chief economist.
“While public sector activity is expected to partially recover in the coming months, high interest rates and the rising trade tensions with Canada and Mexico will continue to impact many privately financed sectors.”
Basu also noted, “Private sector nonresidential momentum remains limited, concentrated mainly in two areas: data centers within the office category and manufacturing. These segments accounted for 94% of the growth in total nonresidential construction spending from December 2023 to December 2024. Activity in these segments, and perhaps only these segments, will continue to be strong despite rising construction costs.”
Construction Material Prices High and Rising in the United States
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index revealed that U.S. construction material prices rose by 1.4% in January and have climbed 40.5% since February 2020. Experts predict that higher input costs are likely to continue.
This information comes from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a U.S.-based trade organization representing over 23,000 construction firms nationwide. According to ABC’s analysis, overall construction input prices are 1.3% higher than last year, while prices for non-residential construction inputs have risen by 0.7%.
Energy prices saw an increase across all three subcategories last month: crude petroleum rose by 14.8%, natural gas increased by 13.7%, and unprocessed energy materials were up by 13%.
ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu attributes this rapid price escalation to three main factors. “First, energy prices surged. Second, producers often raise their prices at the start of the year. Third, many buyers rushed to purchase inputs ahead of potential tariffs, which drove demand and pushed prices up.”
With the possibility of more tariffs looming, how could they impact the construction industry?
The recent news about potential tariffs on U.S. steel imports follows a pause on tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada. Basu pointed out that tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could further drive up costs.
“Tariffs could continue to push input prices higher in the coming months,” Basu explained. “Import taxes allow domestic producers to raise their prices, and if the new 25% levies on steel and aluminum remain in place, we will see that happen.”
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index indicates that a strong majority of contractors expect their sales to increase in the next six months. Given the combined effects of increased demand for construction inputs and ongoing supply chain issues, Basu suggests that input price increases could accelerate through the first half of 2025.
Steel Deck Institute Announces New Edition of AISI S100 Standard for Cold-Formed Steel
The Steel Deck Institute (SDI) announces the release of the ANSI/SDI AISI S100-2024 North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members. This updated edition replaces the 2016 version and its supplements.
In 2023, the SDI took over responsibility for 34 cold-formed steel standards previously managed by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) after AISI ceased supporting these critical standards. In 2024, SDI reaffirmed, updated, or completed the development of a new standard for 29 of the former AISI standards.
Additionally, 17 standards related to cold-formed steel framing have been transferred to the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), while 4 standards concerning metal building systems have been transferred to the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA).
The 2024 edition of the S100 Standard includes all revisions approved before AISI withdrew from standards development. This, along with the 29 other updated standards, is available for free download on the SDI website (https://sdi.org/codes-standards/former-aisi-standards).
