Workplace Safety Is Improving — But Gaps Still Leave Workers at Risk

Report shows steady gains, with important limits

A fresh industry index finds that about three-quarters of employers improved their workplace safety scores over the past three years. That sounds like clear progress: more companies are doing the basics better, and fewer workplaces show the kinds of obvious safety gaps that led to serious injuries in the past.

For workers, the change is tangible in many places. Companies say they are better at identifying hazards, enforcing protective measures, and tracking incidents. For business leaders, the shift reduces the odds of big, costly accidents that disrupt operations and attract regulatory attention.

What the MSD Solutions Index measures and how it works

The results come from the MSD Solutions Index, a benchmarking tool that scores employers on their workplace safety practices. The index looks at things like how companies spot and fix hazards, how they train staff, and whether they use data to prevent injuries. Scores are based on employer self-reports and documented programs, collected over a defined period that covers the last three years.

In plain terms, a higher score means a company has more of the systems and habits that tend to prevent harm. The index does not measure every single incident or every local policy, but it offers a snapshot of how prepared employers are to manage common safety risks across their workforce.

Where progress is strongest — and where it still falls short

The trend over three years is upward: more employers are adopting basic safety standards and tracking their results. Improvements are most visible where problems were once routine, such as routine training, clearer hazard signage, and better incident reporting. That progress matters, because steady fixes to simple failures add up to fewer day-to-day injuries.

But the report also highlights clear gaps. Smaller employers tend to trail larger ones. Companies with fewer resources often struggle to maintain formal programs or invest in richer data tools. Some industries — particularly those with physically demanding work — still show larger exposure to hazards, even if the basic controls have improved.

Perhaps most notable is the slow pace of innovation. While many employers get better at checklist-style safety work, fewer are adopting new tech or redesigning jobs to remove risks entirely. That leaves some core dangers unchanged: repetitive strain, awkward lifting, and exposure to hazardous substances often persist because they require deeper redesigns or capital spending to fix.

Why these findings matter for businesses and workers

For employers, the gains signal that investing in basic safety pays off. Better practices cut lost time, reduce worker turnover driven by injury, and lower the chance of big regulatory fines or reputational harm. Companies that move beyond basics — by redesigning work or using smarter data to predict problems — will likely see the biggest benefits over time.

For HR and safety teams, the index is a reminder that progress is uneven. Policies and training are necessary, but not sufficient. Leaders should treat safety as an operational priority that touches hiring, scheduling, equipment purchases, and workplace design.

For workers and communities, the report is both encouraging and cautionary: more employers are reducing everyday risks, but meaningful gaps remain where serious harm can still occur.

Ideas for reporters and the limits to keep in mind

The index opens several useful follow-up angles. Reporters can drill into sector differences, compare small versus large employers in a given region, or track whether companies that tout safety programs actually show fewer injuries over time. Interviews with frontline workers, safety managers, insurers, and regulators will add needed texture.

Limitations matter. The index relies on employer-submitted information and program documentation, which can overstate real-world practice. It captures preparedness, not every incident, and it may gloss over local variations in enforcement and culture. Also, the index’s measures emphasize prevention systems over long-term redesigns, which helps explain why innovation looks weak.

Good sources to contact include workplace safety officers, union safety reps, occupational health researchers, and insurers who underwrite workers compensation. Quotes from workers and safety engineers can make the story concrete and show where policies succeed or fail in day-to-day work.

Sources

• prnewswire.com