Small Contractors Boost Safety Efforts, but Gaps Persist in Planning, Tech, and Mental Health
The latest 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 and funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, highlights encouraging progress in safety practices across the U.S. construction sector. At the same time, the report underscores several critical gaps that still need attention, particularly in areas such as preconstruction planning, technology adoption, and mental health support.
Now in its seventh edition, the biennial report provides a comprehensive overview of how safety management is evolving across the industry. While many contractors are making meaningful strides, the findings emphasize that continued effort is essential to ensure safer working environments for all construction professionals.
According to Chris Trahan Cain, the importance of safety improvements cannot be overstated. Despite ongoing progress, more than 1,000 construction workers lost their lives on the job in 2024, highlighting the urgency of strengthening safety measures. Cain noted that the report serves as both a benchmark for improvements and a guide to where further action is required to better protect workers.
One of the most notable insights from the study is the growing commitment to safety among small contractors. Firms with fewer than 20 employees have shown significant progress compared to previous years, particularly in adopting modern safety practices. These companies are increasingly utilizing online safety training programs, offering Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), and implementing multiple strategies to assess and mitigate heat-related risks. In many of these areas, small contractors are improving at a faster rate than their mid-sized and large counterparts, signaling a positive shift in industry culture.
Donna Laquidara-Carr, industry insights research director at Dodge Construction Network, pointed out that although small firms still trail larger organizations in the overall adoption of formal safety management systems, their accelerated progress is a strong indicator of growing awareness and commitment. This trend suggests that smaller firms are increasingly prioritizing worker health and safety, even as they navigate resource constraints.
Preconstruction safety planning has become a near-universal practice, with 95% of contractors reporting that they develop health and safety plans before beginning a project. However, the report reveals that these plans are not always optimized. Only 43% of contractors involve a dedicated health and safety director during the planning phase, despite clear evidence that such involvement leads to better outcomes.
The data shows that companies that include a safety director in preconstruction planning experience significantly lower injury rates, with 80% reporting reductions compared to 63% among those that do not. Additionally, these firms see stronger worker engagement, with 72% noting improved understanding and participation in safety practices, versus just 46% without such involvement. Project performance also benefits, with improvements in productivity, cost predictability, reduced rework, and better adherence to schedules reported by 35% of firms that integrate safety leadership early, compared to 20% of those that do not.
Heat risk management is another area where the industry is making progress. More than 80% of contractors now report implementing core heat mitigation strategies, including providing water, rest breaks, shaded areas, safety training, emergency response plans, and environmental monitoring. The use of advanced tools such as weather forecasting, mobile safety applications, and specialized personal protective equipment is also increasing, particularly among smaller firms.
Despite these advances, gaps remain. While over 80% of mid-sized and large contractors have formal heat illness prevention plans, only 62% of small firms report having such plans in place. The report also highlights the positive impact of state-level heat regulations. Among contractors operating in states with such standards, 72% say compliance has improved worker protection, often extending benefits beyond regulated projects. However, only 41% of surveyed contractors currently work in states with these regulations, suggesting that broader adoption could significantly enhance safety during extreme heat conditions.
Technology adoption for safety purposes remains relatively limited, representing another key opportunity for improvement. While tools such as predictive analytics, wearable sensors, and virtual reality training are recognized for their potential to enhance safety, fewer than half of contractors currently use them. More commonly adopted technologies, including building information modeling (BIM), laser scanning, and drones, are primarily used to boost productivity, even though they also have valuable safety applications.
This indicates that many contractors have yet to fully leverage technology as a strategic tool for improving jobsite safety. Expanding the use of these technologies could help identify risks earlier, improve training effectiveness, and create safer working conditions overall.
Mental health support is another area gaining attention, though significant gaps remain. The report shows that more companies are offering Employee Assistance Programs than in previous years, yet only 46% of contractors currently provide them. While smaller firms still lag behind larger organizations, they have demonstrated the most growth in this area, increasing from 16% to 25%.
The need for stronger mental health support is underscored by the demanding nature of construction work. The study found that 52% of contractors report their workers frequently face long daily commutes exceeding 100 miles or require overnight stays away from home. These conditions can contribute to stress, fatigue, and reduced overall well-being, which in turn can impact safety and productivity.
Overall, the report paints a picture of an industry that is making meaningful progress but still has considerable work to do. The increasing engagement of small contractors, the widespread adoption of preconstruction safety planning, and the expansion of heat risk management practices are all positive developments. However, the findings also highlight the need for more comprehensive approaches, particularly in integrating safety leadership into planning, expanding the use of technology, and addressing mental health challenges.
As the construction industry continues to evolve, the insights from this report provide a valuable roadmap for improving safety outcomes. By building on current progress and addressing identified gaps, contractors, owners, and industry stakeholders can work together to create safer, healthier environments for construction workers across the United States.
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