The Merit Shop Advantage: ABC Contractors Are Nearly 7x Safer Than the Industry Average

If there is one key takeaway from our latest data, it is this: Merit shop contractors are setting the gold standard for construction safety. In an industry that is by its nature hazardous, critics attempt to challenge the safety record of merit shops. The evidence, however, tells a completely different story. Merit shop contractors do not just meet industry benchmarks. They shatter them.

Right here in Missouri and Kansas, ABC Heart of America members are proving this commitment on jobsites every day. Representing $4.6 billion in local construction projects, our chapter’s 2025 data reveal incredible results. Our local participating contractors are 146% safer than the Bureau of Labor Statistics industry average, effectively cutting the incident rate in half locally. Furthermore, our highest performing local chapter members are an extraordinary 492% safer, achieving a 79% reduction in total recordable incidents.

This local excellence is part of a massive national trend. The recently released 2026 Health and Safety Performance Report from ABC National, analyzing over 1.3 billion hours of work, shows that top performing merit shop contractors nationwide achieve incident rates nearly seven times lower than the construction industry average. They operate an astounding 686% safer than the national baseline.

How do merit shop contractorsachieve these phenomenal results? It comes down to transformational leadership and a culture that views every single incident as preventable. Instead of relying on top-down mandates, these companies implement daily, proactive practices. Regular toolbox talks, robust substance abuse prevention policies, and active employee participation in safety planning to drastically reduce injuries. They empower front line workers to take ownership of site safety and build a culture of trust.

This culture of excellence is supported and measured by the ABC STEP Health and Safety Management System. This framework and the unwavering dedication of our merit shop members brings these remarkable safety numbers to life. By consistently applying proven best practices, our contractors protect what matters most: our people.

The merit shop continues to be the majority of the construction workforce, and the safety of merit shop contractors will continue to set the standard.

If you are ready to raise the bar for your business and join an association that proves merit shop safety is second to none, we would love to connect with you. Visit abc.org/step to learn more, or reach out to our local chapter today.