The Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released a report Nov. 7 showing a decrease in on-the-job injury and illness rates for the construction industry in 2012. The total number of recordable cases declined to 3.6 incidents for every 100 full time employees (FTEs), down from 3.8 in 2011. 

As part of its goal to send every employee home safely to his or her family at the end of the day, ABC and its members continue to work towards zero-incident jobsites through developing world-class safety programs. 

To help reach this goal, ABC co-founded the Construction Coalition for a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace (CCDAFW) with four of the nation’s largest construction trade associations. The CCDAFW requires construction-related firms and organizations to sign an online pledge committing them to create and maintain a workplace free from substance abuse, requiring a stringent substance abuse policy with random testing and rehabilitation guidelines.   To sign the pledge and view CCDAFW resources, visit www.drugfreeconstruction.org.   

ABC also works to achieve its safety goal through its’ flagship program, the Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP), which helps members evaluate their safety programs and identify areas to strengthen. Companies use STEP to protect employees and improve productivity.  STEP provides a benchmark system in the 20 key components of an effective safety program that, when followed fully, can help them establish a comprehensive, industry-leading safety program. 

STEP Plus, now available to ABC members, takes the core concepts of ABC’s industry-revolutionizing STEP and provides a road map to creating a culture in which safety is the core value. The STEP Plus program centers on four key phases: leadership commitment, cultural transformation, safety systems and processes, and long-term results and monitoring. The initial class of STEP Plus companies will begin their journey towards world-class safety performance in January 2014.