May 2025 Safety Roundup

Monthly Safety Industry Highlights: May 2025 Overview

What’s happening this month in safety news?

Stay updated on key safety trends and news across the construction, airport, and event industries. In this May 2025 edition, we spotlight Construction Safety Week, evolving project budgets, AI’s growing role in job site safety, and what’s next for event planning.

Table of Contents

• Monthly Safety Industry Highlights: May 2025 Overview

1. Construction Safety Week 2025: “All In Together”
2. AI & Technology Advancements in Construction Safety
3. Top Event Industry Trends to Watch in 2025
4. Spring 2025 U.S. Construction Forecast & Budget Insights
5. Tariffs and Their Impact on the Global Event Industry
6. FAA Grants & Airport Modernization News
7. OTW Safety News & Featured Products
8. In Case You Missed It: Blog Highlights
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Construction Safety Week May 5-9, 2025: “All In Together”

Key dates and participation details:

When: May 5–9, 2025 (first week of May)
Theme: “All In Together”
Goal: Empower workers to prioritize and speak up for safety
Events: National Safety Stand Down on May 7

According to the Construction Safety Week site, this collective effort “started in 2014, when more than 40 national and global construction firms comprising the Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) group and the Incident and Injury Free (IIF) CEO Forum joined forces with a single aim: to inspire everyone in the industry to be leaders in safety”. Two years later, this Safety Week was still going strong each year, so it formally became an annual campaign complete with members and sponsors, as you see today!

This weeklong awareness campaign happens once a year, but is geared to impact the lives and livelihoods of construction employees year-round, as safety is a 365-day-a-year concern. With 1,075 fatalities in the construction industry in 2023 and thousands more injuries on the job, creating awareness about the importance of work zone safety is essential to decreasing those numbers.  

This year’s Construction Safety Week, “All In Together”,  is May 5-9! The goal this year is to preemptively have strategies in place to prevent accidents and empower workers to speak up if work conditions [need to] change. Each day will focus on different topics, like “plan with precision”, “engage and empower team members”, and more. On May 7, 2025, join OSHA, Construction Safety Week, numerous companies, and thousands of employees and employers as they seek to hold the largest national Safety Standdown. Companies are encouraged to join the national effort and pause operations to discuss fall prevention strategies. Ready to stand down to raise work safety awareness and “own your part” in creating a safe work environment? Download Construction Safety Week participation resources to participate.

 

Planned company events:

• Gilbane-Turner Joint Venture: Safety stand-down at the Buffalo Bills Highmark Stadium project (Buffalo, NY)
• Granite: Safety event at American River Bridge Rehab Project (Sacramento, CA)
• Gray | Hourigan + The LEGO Group: Trade-specific safety sessions (Chesterfield, VA)
• Hensel Phelps: Safety week event at NIH campus (Bethesda, MD)
• Mortenson: Mental health and safety focus at Swedish 1st Hill Hospital (Seattle, WA)
• Performance Contracting: Partner event at IU Health’s new downtown hospital (Indianapolis, IN)  

 

A Boston-based construction firm is leveraging AI to keep roughly 30,000 workers safe

AI & Technology Advancements in Construction Safety

In other construction industry trend news — with technology making giant leaps every day, it’s no surprise that companies are beginning to use it more frequently in the running of business. This includes implementing AI into construction job site safety strategies. In the case of Boston, Massachusetts’ Shawmut Design and Construction, they’ve been using AI technology to help keep teams at over 150 sites safe every day. Since 2017, they’ve used a private AI partner to compile data from various sources (weather, personnel schedule, timelines, etc). Among their other initiatives are wearable GPS tech that monitors worker proximity to hazardous zones, integrated oversight – AI insight is paired with human safety audits, and a privacy-centric design (which means all worker data is anonymized to preserve privacy). Read Shawmut’s case study on AI in construction safety. 

Top Event Industry Trends to Watch in 2025:

1. AI and accessibility at events

Content delivery and data analytics will be king in an AI-advanced event world. Accessibility will become more prevalent with options like automated captions, translations, and transcriptions, while things like lead generation analytics will be able to track an attendee’s experience through the entire event. 

2. “Phygital” – blending physical and digital experiences

While AI and technology can enhance a guest’s overall experience, many individuals are burnt out on the constant video meetings, long emails, and Slack communications. When attending an event, many are looking to experience connection and enduring memories amidst the advanced technology additions. 

3. Eco-conscious event planning

No longer is sustainability an option when considering vendors, products, and the planning of an event. Eco-friendly practices are often preferred by event clients and consumers alike, and finding ways to include things (like eco-friendly materials, reducing waste, and supporting local) is essential.

4. Personalization and attendee connection

In the same vein as attendees craving connection and memories is their desire for personalized experiences while at an event. Technology might make an event easier when it comes to digital displays and apps, but if a guest’s hope for an immersive experience isn’t fulfilled, they might walk away unsatisfied. The experience is the most important part of any event, and is becoming even more so as Gen Z’ers come of age and expect a personal connection to the brand, band, or event that they’ve come to engage with. 

5. Event safety expectations

As the world changes and atmospheres become volatile and uncertain, people are even more conscious about their time and safety when leaving their homes. From parking to event security, to the atmosphere, to safety or first aid stations, and more, guests often must feel confident that they will be safe and secure at an event, whether it is large or small—enter; OTW Safety’s event planning security checklist.

Industry trends evolve quickly, and the event industry is no exception. In 2025, we’re seeing the expansion of many successful initiatives for different facets of event planning and execution; we’re also seeing new trends emerge as technological advances change the landscape of possibilities at events across the globe. 

 

Spring 2025 U.S. Construction Forecast & Budget Insights:

Economic projections and what they mean for contractors

Like many things in 2025, construction costs are expected to rise in the coming months, and Utah construction won’t be the only thing affected. ConstructConnect Chief Economist Michael Guckes is currently forecasting a 4.1% increase in spending across all sectors of the construction industry – this will bring annual spending to $2.24 trillion, with the potential for an increase to $2.65 trillion by 2029.

A combination of factors plays into the expected increase: higher workloads and more work leads in each of the three primary construction categories (residential, nonresidential, and engineering), quickly rising costs of materials (and potentially labor), and the expected volatile nature of the construction industry. 

So how to combat the rising costs?

Choosing sustainable options now ensures that you have the products you need over the next four years in an uncertain economy. Among these options are OTW barricades. Our construction safety barricades are US-made, sustainable, and recyclable, and you can trust that we’ll give you the best prices possible because we manufacture every barricade here in the US. 

 

Tariffs and Their Impact on the Global Event Industry

Shifting planning strategies due to policy changes

The climate of global business is constantly in flux, and current times are no different. What is different about the latest policies put forth by the US government, however, is their large and fairly immediate impact on the event industry worldwide. 

The linked article states, “In a world increasingly shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, businesses across all sectors are learning to navigate the ripple effects of policy changes, notably visible in the global events industry.”

With the uncertain supply chain, potential lack of immediate availability of goods, and the timing of it all, events that rely on expediency and cost efficiency are having to reshape their entire planning processes. Sentiments like “buy local”, already a common phrase, are increasing in countries near and far, which means that options are more limited for those in the United States and beyond. Similarly, many Canadians, in particular, are hesitant to travel to the US for fear of trouble at the border. As previously very good allies and compatriots in industry work, staffing and mobility have been affected by this hesitation and have impacted the already struggling labor force, only increasing the need to source labor domestically. Only time will tell how these changes will reshape the event industry! 

 

FAA Grants & Airport Modernization News

Spotlight on Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport

It was announced in February that several airports across the United States (like John Glenn International, Pittsburgh International, BWI Thurgood Marshall, and more) were to receive funding for modernizing airport infrastructure through the ongoing terminal rehabilitation project (primarily funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – Airport Terminal Program (ATP)). 

At the end of April, the FAA announced yet another airport that would benefit from this project. Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport was granted $8.25 million, which will be used to upgrade and expand the 46-year-old terminal building, upgrade the heating and cooling systems, and modernize the entirety of the airport. 

This is the fourth year that grants have been made available to airports through the Airport Terminal Program, and we’re likely to see many more grants disbursed in the coming years as air travel continues to boom.

 

OTW Safety News & Featured Products

🚨 Spring 2025 Safety Sale: Save Up to 20% on OTW Barricades

OTW Safety’s Spring Sale is here—offering up to 20% off our most trusted safety barricades across construction, airport, and crowd control applications.

Current Offers Include:

• 10% OFF Full Pallet Purchase of 42×96 Billboard Barricades
• 20% OFF Full Truck Load Bundle of 42” Jersey LCD Barricades

Whether you’re planning a summer event, upgrading airport safety infrastructure, or preparing for upcoming construction projects, now is the perfect time to invest in high-quality, American-made barricades. Explore All Sale Products

 

E-commerce!?

Our e-commerce site is now live! Enjoy easy browsing and a streamlined process for ordering your newest OTW barricades. Still need expert assistance with your order? Our team is always ready to answer any questions you might have!

 

 

Our featured outdoor summer event barricade: the Billboard Barricade

Host your best event yet with our elite crowd control barrier, the Billboard Barricade. Manufactured from quality HDPE plastic, this barricade is sleek, able to complement your aesthetic, and is made to last.

Other benefits include:

• Folding feet for easy storage
• Water-fillable for extra stability
• 100% recyclable and sustainable
• Thoughtfully designed with a spot on each side for custom signage to highlight your brand, give directions, and more 

Ready for safe summer fun? Grab your Billboard Barricades and get to planning! 

 

In Case You Missed It: Distracted Driving Awareness

We update our blog regularly with the latest safety news, customer highlights, new product announcements, and more! 

Read our latest blog, Be Aware for Distracted Driving Month (and beyond), as we discuss why a distracted driving safety month is even necessary, and how you can help bring traffic fatalities down to zero. 

Keep up with OTW here on the blog, through our social media channels, or by subscribing to our newsletter. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why is fall prevention a major focus during Construction Safety Week?

Falls are consistently one of the leading causes of fatalities in construction. Fall prevention strategies — like harness use, guardrails, and regular safety training — are emphasized during Construction Safety Week to reduce injuries and promote a culture where workers feel empowered to speak up about unsafe conditions.

2. How can event organizers balance security and guest experience in 2025?

Event safety in 2025 is about more than metal detectors — it’s about creating a seamless, reassuring environment. Organizers are investing in clear signage, crowd flow planning, trained staff, and visible first-aid stations to ensure guests feel secure without detracting from the atmosphere of the event. Choosing the right temporary event barricade can be a breezy and simple solution to check all of those boxes — don’t believe us? See for yourself!

3. What types of construction projects benefit most from AI-based safety monitoring?

High-risk projects — like large-scale commercial builds, highway infrastructure, or sites with variable conditions — benefit most from AI-based safety monitoring. These systems can detect evolving risks in real time, helping project managers make faster, safer decisions.

4. When should I use plastic barricades instead of concrete ones on a job site?

Plastic barricades, like those from OTW Safety, are ideal for temporary work zones, event perimeters, or pedestrian management where flexibility and visibility are key. They’re easier to transport, can be water-filled for added weight, and often include customizable signage — making them more versatile than traditional concrete barriers in many non-highway applications.

 

Stay Ahead of the Safety Curve with OTW

Whether you’re preparing for summer events, adding ‘AI wearable safety tech’ to your job site safety plan, or planning for long-term infrastructure changes — OTW Safety is here to support you with sustainable, American-made barricades that are built to last.

→ Browse our e-commerce site for quick and easy ordering
→ Get in touch with our safety experts for custom recommendations

Let’s build a safer future — together.