New research shows injury frequency and severity climbing two- to threefold year over year, while 90% of workplace incidents, hazards, or near misses go underreported
CINCINNATI, OH — February 17, 2026 — Benchmark Gensuite®, an early innovator in AI-forward digital management solutions for Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), today announced the release of its 2026 EHS Benchmarking Report, EHS Pressure Point: Rising Complexity, Shrinking Resources, and the Shift to AI.
The new research reveals that workplace injury frequency and severity are increasing at two to three times last year’s rate, with 90% of workplace incidents, hazards, or near misses going underreported. The findings highlight how increased demand, workforce shortages, and expanding responsibilities are placing unprecedented strain on EHS teams, elevating risk across organizations.
“EHS leaders are battling rising injury rates as demand skyrockets and the workforce dwindles. With new responsibilities further complicating roles, teams are strapped for time when it comes to proactive risk mitigation,” said R. Mukund, Founder and CEO of Benchmark Gensuite. “In this high-stakes environment, traditional tools and processes aren’t keeping pace. Our research shows advanced AI adoption is mission-critical for EHS leaders as they balance workplace safety with other emerging priorities. No business can afford injury reduction to take a back seat.”
Based on insights from more than 260 EHS professionals, the report underscores a safety function increasingly reliant on AI to manage an expanding scope and rising operational complexity. As sustainability initiatives, emergency preparedness, and total worker health priorities converge within the EHS role, leaders report greater difficulty maintaining consistent oversight and mitigating risk early using traditional, manual approaches.
As a result, organizations are accelerating adoption of AI-powered analytics, automation, and intelligent workflows to identify early warning signs, improve reporting accuracy, and maintain compliance at scale, without equivalent increases in headcount.
Key Findings from the 2026 EHS Benchmarking Report
Sharp year-over-year increase in workplace injuries.
- 45% report increased injury frequency, up from 18% last year.
- 39% report increased injury severity, compared to 13% the year prior—representing a two- to threefold increase.
- Increased demand (44%) and workforce issues (42%) are now the leading contributors to incidents, followed by time shortages (33%) and insufficient training (32%).
Accelerated AI adoption as teams adapt to rising complexity.
- 92% of EHS leaders report using generative AI and 86% report using agentic AI in day-to-day work.
- Generative AI is most often used to summarize incident or near-miss reports (50%) and support compliance documentation or audits (48%).
- Agentic AI is being applied to predictive insights and automated alerts (44%) and workflows that help triage reports and guide next steps (37%).
Critical levels of incident underreporting are eroding visibility into risk.
- 90% report workplace incidents, hazards, or near misses are going underreported, up from 79% last year.
- 45% estimate that up to a quarter of employees are not reporting incidents at all.
- 39% of EHS leaders say they are missing early signals of risk—such as near misses or worker feedback—that are critical for preventing more serious incidents or regulatory issues down the line.
Expanding scope of the EHS role with added sustainability and governance responsibilities.
- 46% say their teams have taken on additional oversight for reporting, compliance, or cross-functional collaboration tied to environmental and governance expectations.
- 26% report these responsibilities have grown without additional resources.
- Sustainability now ranks as the top factor making EHS roles harder (39%), surpassing regulatory pressure and labor shortages (both 36%).
Increased demands on emergency preparedness.
- 52% of EHS teams have updated or expanded emergency response plans to address a broader range of risks—including supply chain issues, cyber incidents, extreme weather, and facility disruptions.
- 27% say emergency management responsibilities have grown even as formal plans struggle to keep pace.
Focus on total worker health as a strategic safety priority.
- 49% of respondents plan to place special emphasis or invest in total worker health and wellness in the next 12 months.
- 49% already offer wellbeing training, 45% provide fatigue risk monitoring or shift management, and 44% offer mental health or stress-management resources.
Together, these findings signal a pivotal shift for EHS leaders. As responsibilities expand and risks intensify, AI-powered solutions are becoming foundational to maintaining visibility, driving proactive safety strategies, and ensuring compliance in an increasingly complex operating environment.
To explore the full findings and insights, download the 2026 EHS Benchmarking Report, EHS Pressure Point: Rising Complexity, Shrinking Resources, and the Shift to AI.
About Benchmark Gensuite
Benchmark Gensuite delivers AI-forward, best-in-class digital EHS, Sustainability, Quality, and Risk solutions for global enterprises. Powered by a single-version, cloud-based platform and enriched by a rapidly expanding suite of generative AI tools, Benchmark Gensuite empowers more than 4 million users across industries to proactively manage risk, ensure compliance, and accelerate performance. With over two decades of domain expertise, award-winning customer service, and a commitment to continuous innovation, Benchmark Gensuite is the trusted partner for organizations seeking both operational excellence and strategic impact.