Operating a construction business requires actively and comprehensively addressing workplace safety. The well-being of your employees depends on how successfully leadership creates, deploys and upholds comprehensive policies and procedures for a safe work environment.

Last month, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) released its 2025 Health and Safety Performance Report. This annual study, now in its eighth year, highlights best practices for jobsite safety in the construction industry. Let’s take a look at the latest results.

Best practices

The report’s data originates from the submissions of ABC member companies to the organization’s STEP Safety Management System program in 2024. The results focus on two key metrics:

1. Total recordable incident rate (TRIR), and
2. Days away, restricted or transferred (DART) rate.

According to the report, several best practices correlated with lower TRIR and DART rates compared to those of construction businesses with the highest incident rates, as indicated by federal government statistics. They include:

Setting the tone at the top. It’s often said that, unless leadership clearly and regularly stresses the importance of safety — in words and actions — the message probably won’t resonate on the jobsite. The report reinforces this notion, as construction businesses with active safety-related involvement from upper management reported a 49% reduction in TRIR and a 52% reduction in DART under ABC’s methodology.

Tracking metrics and acting on them. For many construction companies, the reality on the ground regarding safety isn’t always easy to see. That’s why contractors need to actively monitor metrics, such as training hours completed and hazard observations reported, to get a better sense of jobsite safety. The report found businesses that tracked the right data and took necessary corrective actions reported a 59% reduction in TRIR and a 60% reduction in DART under the methodology.

Going beyond basic training. Most construction businesses provide some training to new hires, but it’s often relatively informal or outdated. The report emphasizes the need for “an in-depth indoctrination of new employees into the health and safety culture, systems and processes based on a documented orientation process.” As evidence, ABC notes that companies with detailed safety orientation processes reported a 52% reduction in TRIR and a 56% reduction in DART compared to businesses that “limit their orientations to basic safety and health compliance topics.”

Tackling substance abuse head-on. Many construction workers suffer from substance abuse disorders, sometimes caused by jobsite injuries. Openly addressing this common challenge can help employees get the support they need and enhance safety. The report found that businesses with formal substance abuse prevention programs, as well as drug and alcohol testing policies (where permitted), reported a 52% reduction in TRIR and a 55% reduction in DART under ABC’s methodology.

Committing to “toolbox talks.” On busy jobsites with tight construction schedules, it might seem difficult to commit to brief, daily discussions about safety. However, toolbox talks, as they’re often called, can improve safety significantly. ABC found that businesses that follow this practice every day experienced a 78% reduction in TRIR and a 79% reduction in DART compared to companies that hold monthly discussions.

Financial case

As the year winds down, reflect on your construction company’s strengths and shortcomings in each of the best practices described. The most important reason to focus on safety is, of course, protecting your hard-working employees. However, there’s a real financial case for it as well.

Fewer injuries and incidents generally mean more efficient completion, which allows you to bill more quickly. A stronger safety record also typically translates to lower workers’ compensation insurance premiums and a stronger employer brand that helps attract and retain skilled labor.

A worthy investment

Ultimately, the benefits of implementing a comprehensive workplace safety program tend to outweigh the related expenses.

© 2025