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National ABC 2026 Health and Safety Performance Report

Dear Legislator,

 

We write on behalf of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Ohio to share important findings from the national ABC 2026 Health and Safety Performance Report. We exist to advance strong, safe, and competitive construction industry in Ohio. We believe this data underscores proven strategies that protect workers, reduce injuries, and strengthen our state’s construction industry.

 

Established in 1989, STEP is a no-cost, self-assessment program that gives contractors and suppliers a robust framework for measuring their health and safety performance and benchmarking against industry peers. This tool helps companies identify real opportunities to strengthen their safety programs, lower incident rates, and become employers of choice in today’s competitive labor market.

The charts and summaries within this report present the clearest picture to date of the remarkable impact that leading indicator use has on a company’s safety performance: fewer disrupted or lost lives and a safer jobsite regardless of company size. In fact, companies that engage in leading indicator use are, statistically, considerably safer than their peers.

As a proud sponsor of Construction Safety Week, ABC highlighted this report to celebrate the dedicated professionals across our industry who make health and safety the foundation of every project.

 

ABC’s analysis of more than 1.3 billion hours of work performed by STEP participants in 2025 across construction, heavy construction, civil engineering, and specialty trades identified several key foundations that significantly reduce Total Recordable Incident Rates (TRIR) and Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rates:

 

  • Frequency of toolbox talks: Companies conducting daily toolbox talks achieved a 59% reduction in TRIR and a 61% reduction in DART rates compared to those holding them monthly.
  • Substance abuse prevention programs: Robust programs with drug and alcohol testing (where permitted) led to a 55% reduction in TRIR and a 57% reduction in DART rates.
  • Health and safety meetings: Consistent, clear communication builds trust and empowers workers. Best-practice meetings reduced TRIR by 52% and DART rates by 54%.
  • Employee participation: Engaging front-line workers through active listening and relationship-building reduced TRIR by 55% and DART rates by 57%.

 

The report also highlights six core leading indicators that form the backbone of proactive safety programs:

  • Planning for project health and safety
  • Top leadership engagement
  • Leading indicators
  • Incident investigation
  • Trailing indicators
  • Behavior-based safety observations

 

“STEP can help any construction contractor reinforce its commitment to the well-being of its workforce,” added Xavier. “The 2026 Health and Safety Performance Report serves as a blueprint for industry leaders and workers to deliver projects safely and protect what matters most—our people.”

 

For nine years, ABC’s Health and Safety Performance Report has documented the real-world results of contractors using the STEP program on actual job sites. Participating ABC member firms evaluate their safety policies and practices through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of building stronger programs that prevent injuries.

 

Thank you for your leadership and ongoing partnership with the construction community in Ohio. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can provide additional information or resources.

 

Best regards,

 

Griffin Weasel

VP Govt Affairs & Communications, ABC of Ohio

 

Bryan C. Williams

President, ABC of Ohio

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