ACCNJ, headquartered in Edison, signed the OSHA Alliance on April 30, 2014, confirming the association’s commitment to raising awareness of OSHA’s rulemaking and enforcement initiatives, training and education, and outreach and communication among ACCNJ members and labor partners. The alliance establishes a forum for ACCNJ members to address safety issues, particularly OSHA’s Local Emphasis Programs such as fall prevention, the number one cause of fatalities in construction. (l-r) OSHA’s four New Jersey area directors, Lisa Levy (Hasbrouck Heights), Patricia Jones (Avenel), Kris Hoffman (Parsippany), and Paula Dixon-Roderick (Marlton); OSHA Region II Administrator Robert Kulick; and ACCNJ Chief Executive Officer Jack Kocsis, Jr.


Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey (ACCNJ) hosted a Safety Symposium on April 30, 2014, marking the annual Worker’s Memorial Day on April 28 and opening the event with a formal signing of its OSHA alliance, witnessed by more than 50 ACCNJ contractor members and guests, including six representatives from OSHA.

With the OSHA Alliance, ACCNJ commits to raising awareness of OSHA’s rulemaking and enforcement initiatives, training and education, and outreach and communication among its members and with its labor partners. The alliance establishes a forum for ACCNJ members to address safety issues, particularly OSHA’s Local Emphasis Programs such as fall prevention, the number one cause of fatalities in construction.

Robert Kulick, OSHA Region II administrator, called the signing of the alliance "symbolic," and stated it solidified the relationship between ACCNJ and OSHA, distinguishing ACCNJ members from other contractors because of their active participation in safety initiatives.

"You are looked at as leaders in this region," said Kulick. "You made a commitment in your collective bargaining agreements that workers on a jobsite will be certified with OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour Construction Health and Safety Training. OSHA doesn’t mandate that training, but we recognize it keeps workers safer. In fact, we send our compliance officers to trade union training because it’s so good."

Jack Kocsis, Jr., ACCNJ chief executive officer, spoke of the success members have had during the past 20 years in keeping jobsites safe. "You can see their commitment right here in this room," Kocsis affirmed. "With the signing of the alliance, we state again our members’ dedication to safety for craftworkers they employ, and pledge our ongoing support and assistance to OSHA."

Following the signing of the alliance, ACCNJ members, labor partners and New Jersey’s OSHA area directors shared information on safety issues of particular concern to contractors, including fall prevention, silica dust exposure, Sandy-related health and safety, new labeling for hazardous materials on a jobsite, best practices for construction work in occupied healthcare facilities, and work zone safety. 

On June 2-6, 2014, ACCNJ will participate in OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down, designed to promote awareness of fall hazards and prevention. During the event, contractors across the country will stop work at jobsites at prescribed times and conduct Toolbox Talks on a fall prevention topic. Participating contractors will receive certificates and are invited to share stories of their activities with OSHA.

Edison-based Associated Construction Contractors of New Jersey was created in July 2013 with the merger of Building Contractors Association of New Jersey (BCANJ) and Associated General Contractors of New Jersey (AGC of NJ). As the state chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America – the oldest and largest construction association in the nation – ACCNJ holds four AGC of America charters:  building, heavy, highway and utility. With 300+ contractor members and 150 years of combined experience serving the New Jersey construction community, ACCNJ is the leading construction association in the state and the only organization representing both building and highway contractors in the commercial and public sectors.