Employee Involvement Programs

Support improved safety and efficiency through use of employee involvement programs.  AGC supports active training and employee involvement. Contractors can use these techniques to improve their safety program and reduce their injury, illness and fatality rates.

OSHA’s Regulatory and Enforcement Agenda

Closely monitor OSHA’s regulatory and enforcement agenda.  AGC works with OSHA to establish reasonable regulations to help improve safety in the industry. AGC opposes overly burdensome or complicated regulations that add to the contractors work load, but fail to actually improve workplace safety.

OSHA Streamlining

Support OSHA’s efforts to streamline enforcement by removing standards or regulations that duplicate, overlap, or are inconsistent.  The department of labor has previously proposed regulations that would frequently contradict each other and/or see no movement.  AGC continues to strengthen our relationships with DOL and OSHA to give input on how proposed regulations affect the construction industry, especially when they create conflicts or confusion that might inadvertently compromise job site safety.

“Right to Cure” Minor Violations

Encourage use of inspections by allowing a “right to cure” for minor violations of safety laws.  AGC strongly supports the right of contractors to fix minor violations, i.e. an employee not wearing safety goggles, when working in partnership with OSHA to increase worksite safety prior to fines being levied.  Most of the regulated community is hesitant to request compliance assistance for fear of being cited for a violation. As a result of OSHA’s unforgiving and inflexible enforcement policies, the agency’s compliance assistance program is not nearly as effective as it could be. The lengthy delays that often occur between site inspection and enforcement actions mean employees can be subject to additional risks.

Substance Abuse Programs

Encourage employers to use privately-managed, comprehensive substance abuse programs to enhance worker safety.  AGC encourages contractors to implement comprehensive substance abuse programs which will result in safer work sites. One out of six fatalities in construction involves substance abuse.