Safety Leaders to Increase Budgets Amid Rising Incidents
A new global report reveals a disconnect between safety protocols and worker behavior, prompting firms to invest more in training and technology.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Mar 24, 2026
Despite heavy investment in occupational health and safety, a majority of industry leaders report a significant gap between official protocols and real-world employee behavior.
A recent study of 200 senior safety and operations professionals found that 95% of organizations plan to maintain or increase safety budgets over the next two years. The survey, conducted by research firm NewtonX, highlights a growing need for an integrated approach to worker protection as workplace injuries and illnesses persist globally.
While 97% of safety leaders agree that workplace safety is fundamental to productivity, 64% of those surveyed identified a disconnect between established rules and how work is actually performed.
Experts suggest this "protocol-behavior gap" often stems from a lack of communication between those creating safety rules and those working on the front lines. Other factors include fragmented technology systems and the creation of additional processes that fail to address the root causes of safety issues.
According to the report, the top five budget priorities for safety leaders include:
- Worker training (46%)
- Workforce engagement (41%)
- Infrastructure improvements to reduce risk (34%)
- New technology (30%)
- Internal advocacy for safety values (29%)
The data also indicates a shift toward predictive tools. Approximately 65% of leaders expect AI-driven risk prediction to become a key component of safety programs. While 73% of respondents currently review incident reports and "near-miss" records, only about one-third utilize predictive analytics to forecast and prevent future risks.
Training remains a primary focus, though leaders are moving away from top-down mandates. Nearly one-third of respondents indicated that relevant, continuous, and two-way communication is the most effective path to building worker trust.
Currently, only 36% of workers reportedly have a great deal of trust in their companies’ safety tools and procedures, signaling a need for organizations to better align their safety culture with day-to-day operational realities.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.