ABC Report Highlights Safety Practices That Cut Jobsite Incidents by 85%

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has released its 2025 Health and Safety Performance Report, providing a data-driven look at the safety practices helping construction firms significantly reduce jobsite incidents.

The report analyzes more than 1 billion work hours logged by participating contractors in 2024, highlighting how involvement in ABC’s STEP Safety Management System leads to measurable safety gains. Top STEP participants reported 85% fewer recordable incidents than the industry average and achieved incident rates 658% safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics benchmark for construction.

“Safety must be more than a priority — it must be a core value,” said Greg Sizemore, ABC vice president of health, safety, environment and workforce development. “The findings in this report show what’s possible when leadership and teams commit to proven safety systems.”

Key Safety Practices Driving Results

The report outlines several key strategies linked to lower injury and incident rates:

• Comprehensive new hire orientation
  Companies that go beyond basic compliance training during onboarding see a 52% drop in TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate) and 56% fewer DART cases (Days Away, Restricted or Transferred).
• Robust substance abuse policies: Drug and alcohol testing programs where permitted are associated with a 52% lower TRIR and a 55% reduction in DART rates.
• Daily toolbox talks: Contractors holding brief, daily safety discussions experience a 78% drop in TRIR and a 79% drop in DART compared to those that conduct them monthly.
• Executive-level engagement: Companies with active involvement from top management report a 49% lower TRIR and 52% fewer DART incidents.
• Use of leading indicators: Tracking and acting on proactive safety measures — such as training hours or hazard observations — correlates with a 59% reduction in TRIR and 60% reduction in DART.

Now in its eighth year, ABC’s Health and Safety Performance Report continues to reflect real-world data from firms of all sizes working in general contracting, heavy construction, civil engineering, and specialty trades. The STEP program, originally launched in 1989, provides a no-cost framework for contractors and suppliers to benchmark and strengthen their safety systems.

“The STEP process gives any company — large or small — a clear roadmap to improving safety,” Sizemore said. “Together, we can build jobsites that are not only productive, but safe and sustainable for everyone involved.”

ABC’s 2025 report is sponsored by DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand. Companies interested in joining or advancing in the STEP program can learn more at abc.org/step.