STEP Program Drives Safer Jobsites, Cuts Incident Rates by 85%, ABC Finds
Key Highlights
- STEP participants achieve incident rates 686% safer than the industry average
- Daily toolbox talks cut incident rates by nearly 60%, making them one of the most effective safety tools
- Based on 1.3 billion work hours, the report delivers real-world, jobsite-tested safety insights
WASHINGTON, DC — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) released its 2026 Health and Safety Performance Report, outlining jobsite safety best practices and showing how structured safety programs can significantly reduce incident rates.
The report highlights the impact of ABC’s STEP® Health and Safety Management System, with top-performing participants achieving incident rates 686% safer than the US construction industry average, cutting total recordable incident rates (TRIR) by 85%.
STEP Framework Helps Contractors Reduce Risk and Improve Performance
First launched in 1989, STEP provides contractors and suppliers with a no-cost framework to measure safety performance, benchmark against peers and identify opportunities to strengthen safety programs.
ABC said the system helps companies improve jobsite safety while also positioning themselves as employers of choice in a competitive labor market.
“ABC’s annual health and safety report details how an industry-leading safety roadmap involves leadership, culture, process and results,” said Joe Xavier, Senior Director of Health and Safety at ABC. “Transformational leadership means challenging the status quo and fostering a culture where every incident is seen as preventable. When leaders refuse to compromise on safety, they set the standard for the entire industry. By implementing proven health and safety systems, companies not only protect their workers but also achieve measurable improvements in performance and reputation in the marketplace. These results are the tangible benefits that arise from the consistent application of proven best practices in jobsite safety and total human health.”
Jobsite Practices That Deliver Measurable Safety Gains
Based on more than 1.3 billion hours of work performed by STEP participants in 2025, the report identifies several practices that consistently reduce TRIR (total recordable incident rates) and DART (days away, restricted or transferred) rates:
- Daily toolbox talks reduce TRIR by 59% and DART rates by 61% compared to monthly meetings
- Substance abuse prevention programs cut TRIR by 55% and DART rates by 57%
- Consistent safety meetings lower TRIR by 52% and DART rates by 54%
- Strong employee engagement reduces TRIR by 55% and DART rates by 57%
ABC emphasized that frequent communication and workforce involvement are key drivers of safer jobsites.
Six Leading Indicators Define Top Safety Programs
The report also outlines six core leading indicators that help contractors identify hazards and prevent incidents before they occur:
- Planning for project health and safety
- Top leadership engagement
- Leading indicators tracking
- Incident investigation
- Trailing indicators analysis
- Behavior-based safety observations
ABC said these processes form the foundation of high-performing safety programs across construction, civil and specialty trades.
Industry Collaboration Reinforces Safety Culture
ABC released the report during Construction Safety Week, reinforcing the industry’s collective focus on jobsite safety and worker well-being.
“STEP can help any construction contractor reinforce its commitment to the well-being of its workforce,” said Xavier. “The 2026 Health and Safety Performance Report is a blueprint for industry leaders and workers to deliver projects safely and protect what is most important to us—our people.”
Ongoing Commitment to Safer Jobsites
Now in its ninth year, the report reflects real-world data from ABC member contractors and continues to serve as a benchmarking tool for improving safety performance.
The 2026 report is presented by DEWALT, which supports jobsite safety through its Perform & Protect initiative focused on improving safety, productivity and performance.
To download a copy of the 2026 Health and Safety Performance Report, visit https://www.abc.org/Health-Safety-Alliance/Health-and-Safety-Performance-Report.
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