The Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Region II office have signed a two-year agreement for an alliance aimed at setting a gold standard for safety in the construction industry.
This alliance is the latest in a series of collaborations between ACCNJ and OSHA, dating back to 2014.
“In over a decade of partnership, ACCNJ and OSHA have raised the bar in terms of industry safety,” said Jack Kocsis, ACCNJ CEO. “We look forward to continuing this collaboration through increased member resources, as well as coordinated on-the-ground events including ACCNJ Safety Day and OSHA’s Stand Down to Prevent Falls in Construction.”
ACCNJ and OSHA both share fundamental goals of curtailing injury, illness and hazards in the workplace. To achieve these goals, the partnership will focus on education and prevention. The alliance will provide information, resources and guidance to industry employers, construction workers and the public to prevent and minimize exposure to hazards on construction sites.
The objectives outlined through the alliance include:
- Sharing information on OSHA’s national initiatives
- Sharing information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers
- Convening or participating in forums regarding recognized construction hazards to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to provide input on safety and health issues
- Promoting youth worker safety through joint participation in Construction Industry Career Day
- Promoting awareness of worker mental health challenges and available resources
- Providing resources for effective training and leveraging relationships with ACCNJ-based organized building trade unions and councils to encourage worker participation in training
“We are proud of our efforts to date promoting safety training and accountability for protecting workers,” said Kocsis. “This is a significant moment as we advance our partnership with OSHA and reaffirm our long-standing commitment to ensure every worker goes home safe to their families and loved ones at the end of every day.”
