Most workers in high-risk industries say they feel safe on the job, but a new survey suggests that confidence may not reflect actual jobsite conditions.
An October 2025 survey of 516 U.S.-based professionals in construction, manufacturing, mining, utilities and facilities management found that 79% of workers feel safe at work. However, the Avetta study shows 53% of those workers said their jobsites have only limited safety systems in place, and 17% said they were unaware of any safety system at all.
The findings also show a persistent breakdown in hazard reporting. While 68% of respondents said they regularly notice safety risks, 72% said they do not report them. More than one-third said reporting feels pointless because they do not expect action, while 29% cited fear of retaliation. Another 8% said they do not know how to report a concern.
Despite those gaps, many workers believe safety is gaining greater attention from leadership. Sixty-two percent said health and safety have become a bigger priority in their organizations, including 21% who said it is now a much bigger focus.
Workers also expressed optimism about technology’s role in improving safety performance. Respondents ranked digital credential verification, unified risk management platforms, training and competency systems, artificial intelligence-driven risk detection, and tools for managing contractor and employee workforces as the most promising solutions for reducing jobsite risk.
