The State of Safety Leadership Training in Construction

Free Construction Industry Report on Safety Leadership Training

The construction industry stands on the shoulders of its frontline leaders. Supervisors are responsible for not only building structures but also safeguarding the people who build them. Vector Solutions conducted a national survey of 680 construction supervisors to better understand their realities, challenges, and needs.

The findings reveal a committed, capable workforce that often operates without enough safety leadership training, tools, or support to lead effectively.

Report Highlights

• Insights into the current state of safety leadership in construction and where gaps remain
• Why many supervisors lack conflict resolution and communication training, and how to fix it
• How ESL language barriers affect safety outcomes and how leaders can overcome them
• The impact of mental health in construction industry settings and why supervisors need resources
• Which training and construction safety technology investments are most effective at improving outcomes

Who should read this report

This guide is designed for EHS leaders, safety managers, operations and project leaders, HR and learning teams, and executives in the construction industry who are responsible for safety, productivity, and workforce retention.

Inside the report

• 40% of supervisors want more training around communication and conflict resolution techniques, yet 27% have never received formal training in conflict management
• 78% of supervisors leading ESL crews struggle to give instructions effectively, and 77% struggle to confirm understanding
• 47% lack access to resources for mental health or substance use concerns, while 64% worry that saying the wrong thing could make a worker’s situation worse
• 67% have had to make important safety-related decisions without company guidance
• While 79% have completed OSHA 30 Construction Training, 81% want refresher courses to keep up with evolving standards
• 72% believe better worksite management technology would improve both safety and work quality, yet 35% are not currently using safety tracking software