BOSTON — Safety practices across the U.S. construction industry are improving, led by increased engagement from small contractors, but critical gaps remain in preconstruction planning, technology adoption and mental health support, according to a new national study.
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The Safety Management in the Construction Industry 2026 SmartMarket Report, released by Dodge Construction Network in partnership with CPWR–The Center for Construction Research and Training, highlights steady progress while underscoring areas where the industry must do more to protect workers.
“Every construction worker should go home safely every day, but more than 1,000 died on the job in 2024,” said Chris Trahan Cain, CPWR’s executive director. “This report shows where managers and owners are improving safety and health for workers and where they need to do more.”
One of the report’s most notable findings is the accelerating commitment to safety among small contractors, particularly firms with fewer than 20 employees. Compared with 2023, more of these companies report adopting online safety training, implementing multiple strategies to address heat exposure and offering employee assistance programs.
“While small contractors still lag larger firms in the overall use of formal safety management practices,” said Donna Laquidara-Carr, industry insights research director at Dodge Construction Network, “the data clearly shows they are increasing their commitment to protecting workers and improving health and well-being at a faster rate than in previous studies.”
Despite these gains, disparities remain between smaller firms and their larger counterparts, particularly in formal safety planning and access to resources.
Preconstruction safety planning has become nearly universal, with 95% of contractors reporting they create health and safety plans before work begins. However, only 43% involve a dedicated health and safety director in the process, a gap the report links to measurable differences in outcomes.
Firms that include safety directors report stronger worker engagement, reduced injury rates and improved project performance, including better cost predictability and schedule adherence.
The study also points to underutilization of emerging technologies that could significantly improve jobsite safety. Tools such as predictive analytics, wearable sensors and virtual reality training are used by fewer than half of contractors, despite their potential to identify risks and prevent incidents.
“This suggests significant untapped potential for contractors to leverage technology more strategically to improve safety on the jobsite,” said Laquidara-Carr.
Heat risk management has seen notable progress, with more than 80% of contractors implementing core mitigation strategies such as hydration, rest breaks and environmental monitoring. However, only 62% of small firms report having formal heat illness prevention plans, compared with more than 80% of midsize and large companies.
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Mental health support remains another critical area for improvement. While more companies now offer employee assistance programs, only 46% of contractors provide access to these services. Smaller firms, though improving, still trail larger organizations.
The report also highlights the impact of demanding work conditions on worker well-being. More than half of contractors surveyed said their employees frequently face long commutes exceeding 100 miles or overnight stays, factors that can contribute to fatigue, stress and increased safety risks.
Researchers emphasize that while progress is evident, a more comprehensive approach is needed to standardize safety practices, expand access to resources and fully integrate technology into safety management systems.
The findings are based on a nationwide survey of general contractors and specialty trade contractors and mark the seventh edition of the SmartMarket Report series since 2012.
Originally reported by Andrew Hutchinson, Content and Social Media Manager in Construction Dive.
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