Construction Safety Organization Launched for Contractors
The new trade group offers safety resources to help small firms lower compliance and accident costs.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Construction
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The Construction Safety Organization launched on September 21, 2026, to provide advocacy and safety education to construction companies. The group aims to reduce the annual toll of more than 1,000 occupational fatalities through a focus on accessible, low-cost resources for contractors.
Why it matters
By providing a Workers First platform, the organization seeks to dismantle cost barriers that often prevent small businesses from accessing professional safety training. This shift aims to improve jobsite health outcomes while helping firms navigate federal and state safety regulations.
The organization's leadership brings over 170 years of combined experience to a sector that records more than 1,000 worker fatalities annually. It offers tiered membership options designed to lower resource costs for construction businesses of varying sizes.
The players
Raffi Elchemmas
President of the Construction Safety Organization who brings 15 years of industry-association experience.
Justin Azbill
Vice President of the organization with over 30 years of experience in construction safety.
Scott Ketcham
Consultant who brings 34 years of federal service experience at OSHA to the organization.
Tim Irving
Consultant who draws on 24 years of experience at the OSHA national office.
Pete Chaney
Consultant with over 40 years of occupational safety experience.
The details
The organization operates by facilitating industry forums and events where contractors can exchange proven safety protocols and operational best practices. These resources provide a bridge for smaller employers to access expertise that informs on-site implementation of safety standards. The group will also engage in advocacy regarding federal and state safety regulations that impact daily jobsite operations.
Timeline
The Construction Safety Organization officially launched on September 21, 2026.
Market Landscape
The launch reflects an ongoing industry trend toward private advocacy groups filling resource gaps in compliance and safety training. This initiative follows the pattern of established firms seeking to improve outcomes under the Occupational Safety and Health Act through voluntary peer-led education.
Business owners should assess the organization’s educational forums to determine if they provide actionable safety practices that can lower their specific site risks. Evaluating these materials may help firms reduce their compliance burdens and improve overall safety metrics on active projects.
The takeaway
The organization's entry signals a move toward collective safety advocacy for contractors navigating complex federal and state requirements. Operators should track the group's upcoming regulatory advocacy positions to determine how new standards may impact their jobsite compliance costs.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts and standards, visit Construction.
More information
To review membership options and available safety resources, visit the membership and information portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The ACHR NEWS.
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Do you trust industry-led safety organizations to effectively prioritize the well-being of construction workers?
