The State of Safety 2026: Insights from Our Workzone Coffee Campaign
At the close of 2025, we reached out to our network of safety professionals and industry leaders through our annual SkillSignal Workzone Coffee Campaign which supports NAWIC, Working Minds, and other organizations promoting mental health and safety at work.
We wanted to move beyond the typical industry reports and hear directly from the people managing risk on active jobsites. The results show a construction industry that is highly optimistic but deeply aware of the cultural and labor hurdles ahead.
A Wave of Industry Optimism
The most striking takeaway from the survey is the level of confidence among our partners. When asked about their outlook for 2026, an overwhelming 93.2% of respondents reported feeling either very or extremely confident.
Specifically, 47.7% stated they are extremely confident they will exceed their targets, while 45.5% feel they are on solid ground. This high level of optimism suggests that while the industry faces challenges, the leadership in place feels equipped to navigate the coming year.
Safety Priorities: Returning to the Core
While technology and culture are frequent topics of conversation, the primary focus for 2026 remains the physical safety of the workforce. Reducing on-site injuries and incidents was the top priority for 43.2% of the participants.
Strengthening leadership involvement in safety culture followed as a priority for 22.7% of respondents, while enhancing training and onboarding was the focus for 13.6%. The data shows that for most firms, the mission for 2026 is a return to basics: making sure every worker goes home safe every day by focusing on incident reduction and leadership presence.
The Twin Challenges: Culture and Labor
Despite the high confidence levels, the road to 2026 is not without obstacles. Two specific challenges tied for the top spot, each cited by a third of the industry. Labor shortages and skilled workforce gaps were identified as the biggest challenge by 32.6% of respondents.
Close behind was the resistance to change in company culture, cited by 30.2% of the group. These results highlight that the hardest part of safety management isn’t necessarily the technical side, it is the human side. Finding skilled people and then convincing an existing team to adopt new safety behaviors are the hurdles that Safety Directors expect to spend the most time clearing this year.
The Future of Learning: AI and Wellness
When we asked what topics participants were most excited to learn about in 2026, two clear winners emerged. Technology and Data: Nearly 40% of respondents are looking for more information on smart data dashboards, leading indicators, innovative construction tech, and A.I. This aligns with the shift we see at SkillSignal where GCs are moving toward specialized platforms that offer real-time risk insights.
Mental Health and Wellbeing: A significant 27.9% of participants expressed a strong interest in mental health, addiction understanding, and worker wellness strategies. This indicates that the definition of safety is expanding. It no longer just means hard hats and harnesses, it means the total wellbeing of the person on the site.
The Overall Sentiment
The sentiment for 2026 is one of resilient growth. The industry is eager to adopt A.I. and data-driven tools to solve the labor crisis and break through cultural resistance. There is a clear move toward specialized safety technology that provides a system of action rather than just a system of record.
We want to thank everyone who participated in the Coffee Campaign. Your insights help us build the tools that keep your sites digital, defensible, and safe.
