Dive Brief:

• Contractors and builders are happy when they can find workers to fill trade vacancies that plague the industry in areas around the country, but bringing people new to the business onto job sites is raising injury rates, insurance companies say.
• There also is a risk when bringing back skilled workers who have been out of the business for some time because they need a refresher on safety training that once was routine or they are physically not ready to hit full stride again.
• One insurance industry executive predicted defect claims will rise for residential building because of lower total experience among crews as new employees come on board.

Dive Insight:

The increased likelihood of defect claims is attributable to the improving market in owner-occupied housing, one executive explained. Contractors building rental buildings are less likely to face defect claims than those who put up condo buildings or single-family homes for which individuals are paying.