As serious injuries decline, SiteMap® delivers interactive tools and solutions that help teams elevate safety and performance.

A recent white paper from ISN, a Dallas-based contractor and supplier management consultancy, reveals a 17% year-over-year reduction in serious injuries and fatalities(SIFs) within the construction sector in 2023. The broader trend across all industries shows that workplace fatalities have remained unchanged for over a decade.

The report, titled Serious Injury & Fatality (SIF) Insights White Paper, integrates 2023 data into a comprehensive seven-year analysis, applying ASTM E2920-19 Level One Injury Recording criteria. It identifies 19,900 potential SIF incidents between 2017 and 2023, with construction remaining a high-hazard industry due to its operational complexity and layered contractor-subcontractor dynamics. In a recent report, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a decline in worker fatalities investigated by federal and state agencies in 2024. National data indicates a reduction in workplace deaths from 1,040 in 2023 to 912 as of this year. This 12% decline highlights progress in workplace safety measures, yet OSHA emphasizes the need for ongoing diligence to sustain and improve this trend

“The bad news is on a macrolevel across all industries, even though lagging measures such as recordable rates and lost time rates have steadily come down from where they historically have been, fatalities have flatlined for the last 10 years,” said Duane Duhamel, Director of Health, Safety and Sustainability at ISN.

Duhamel emphasizes that organizations with robust safety assessment programs consistently report lower SIF rates. These programs enable safety leaders to translate hazard assessments into actionable strategies that drive measurable improvements.

“There is a direct correlation with a strong health and safety culture that leads to the likelihood of SIFs being lessened,” Duhamel added. “Employees will tell you what they see and believe and how things really are.”

He recommends that construction firms conduct safety culture assessments to identify organizational gaps and implement controls that mitigate high-consequence risks. This includes understanding human performance factors – why errors occur and how systems can be designed to allow for safe failure. The most frequently cited serious violations in the construction industry for FY 2024 included general safety and health provisions, personal protective equipment, fall protection, and confined space regulations. In 2024, OSHA conducted 31,700 inspections in the construction industry, resulting in 15,900 citations and $127.4 million in penalties.

Technology as a Catalyst for Safer Jobsites

Duhamel points to emerging technologies as critical tools in advancing jobsite safety. Innovations such as crash detection systems, enhanced physical barriers, wearable sensors, and drone-based hazard detection are reshaping how companies approach risk mitigation.

“There’s a lot of hurdles and struggles with workplace safety in the construction industry as a whole, and I think technology can help with this,” he said.

In 2024, emerging technologies such as wearable sensors, drone-based hazard detection, and enhanced physical barriers continued to play a crucial role in improving jobsite safety.

SiteMap®: Delivering Safety Through Interactive Software Solutions

At SiteMap®, we understand that safety is not just a priority – it’s a deliverable. As the project delivery software platform for GPRS projects, SiteMap provides an interactive platform that transforms field data into actionable records. These records are not static – they are dynamic, visual, and accessible, enabling project teams to make informed decisions that directly impact jobsite safety.

By integrating advanced mapping, utility locating, and above and belowground visualization into a single software environment, SiteMap empowers construction professionals to identify hazards before they become incidents. Our platform is designed to support proactive safety planning, streamline communication, and deliver solutions that reduce risk across every phase of a project.

Supporting a Culture of Safety

GPRS, the field operations partner behind SiteMap, actively participates in Construction Safety Week by conducting nationwide jobsite visits. These sessions focus on critical safety topics such as fall protection, confined space entry, heat-related illness, and mental health awareness. The goal is to equip every team member with the knowledge and tools to create a safer work environment.

Together, through technology, training, and commitment, we can reduce serious injuries and fatalities across the construction industry.

Discover how SiteMap can help you build safer and smarter. Click below to schedule your live SiteMap demo today!