A new national survey shows a worrying gap between how safe workers feel on the job and what is actually happening on worksites across construction, manufacturing, mining, utilities, and other high-risk industries.
The October survey of 516 U.S. workers found that 79 percent say they feel safe, yet more than half, 53 percent, admit their worksites only have “some” safety systems in place, and 17 percent do not believe any safety system exists at all. The findings come from new research released by Avetta, which examined how worker confidence compares with real conditions on the ground.
“The research shows that while workers may feel safe day-to-day, a majority of high-risk job sites are operating on shaky ground when it comes to genuine protection,” said Scott DeBow, Director of Health, Safety and Environmental at Avetta. “This safety perception gap, or false sense of safety, is particularly dangerous because it represents a systemic failure of governance, where far too many organizations are relying on luck instead of verifiable controls to actually keep workers safe.”
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The survey also found that workers see problems but choose to stay quiet. Sixty-eight percent say they regularly notice safety risks on the job, but 72 percent do not report them. Workers say reporting feels like a waste of time and believe nothing will change, which accounts for 36 percent of responses. Another 29 percent fear repercussions. Eight percent say they are not even sure how to report a concern.
“This silence can be as dangerous as the hazards themselves,” DeBow said. “When workers do not feel they can or should speak up, organizations lose their most valuable safety sensor, human insight. Organizations should actively dismantle the fear of reprisal and establish transparent, easy-to-use reporting channels to build a psychologically safe culture where speaking up is clearly valued, not penalized.”
The survey also points to reasons workers may feel confident despite gaps on the ground. Sixty-two percent say health and safety is becoming a bigger priority for leadership. Workers are also optimistic about how newer technologies can help identify risks, track training, manage worker credentials, and support mixed workforces.
“The good news is that the foundation for bridging the safety perception gap already exists,” DeBow added. “With leaders prioritizing worker health and safety and the availability of innovative technologies to reduce risks, organizations are in a better position than ever before to create conditions where workers are not just confident, but they are truly ready to work.”
