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Five major national construction trade associations said they have joined forces to form the Construction Coalition for a Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace (CCDAFW), an initiative with a mission to forge a drug- and alcohol-free construction industry.
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| The coalition is urging construction-related companies and organizations to sign an online pledge to “create and maintain a workplace free from substance abuse.” |
The associations said the program will provide companies and organizations “with the resources necessary to implement drug- and alcohol-free policies into their business practices.”
“CCDAFW today launched a nationwide effort urging construction-related firms and organizations to sign an online pledge signifying they will create and maintain a workplace free from substance abuse,” the organizations said Wednesday in announcing the initiative.
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| Micheal D. Bellaman |
| ABC president and CEO |
In addition to listing current pledge signatories, the CCDAFW website offers educational materials and state-by-state policies for substance abuse testing.
The coalition is comprised of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT), Construction Users’ Roundtable (CURT), and Women Construction Owners & Executives (WCOE).
The launch of the CCDAFW website and online pledge coincides with North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, May 6-12.
Reflects Focus on ‘World-Class Safety’
“We are driving an industry toward world-class safety,” said Associated Builders and Contractors President and CEO Michael D. Bellaman. “If we want to have an industry that is world class in safety, we have to start with a rock-solid foundation that includes an environment free of drugs and substance abuse.
“This coalition is a way to help companies build that foundation so we can continue toward our goal of eliminating all fatalities on construction worksites.”
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| Stephen E. Sandherr |
| AGC CEO |
“This partnership will build on the significant steps firms across the country have already taken to make construction safer today than it has ever been,” said Associated General Contractors CEO Stephen E. Sandherr. “Making sure that every construction worker on every construction site is fully in control and absolutely sober is the best way to save lives and prevent injuries.”
Added Construction Industry Round Table President Mark A. Casso: “As an organization composed of CEOs from both leading design and construction firms, the CIRT Board of Directors views participation in the coalition as extremely critical to reinforcing the importance of safety across the wide range of disciplines involved with construction job sites.
“To that end, we see the center piece of this effort as not only the pledge itself, but also the educational materials, model policies, informational aids and best practices that will be made available and shared.”
Construction Users’ Roundtable Executive Vice President Gregory L. Sizemore said the initiative “is a way to help owners and contractors improve their safety performance—on and off the jobsite—leading to the elimination of accidents and injuries.”
“At CURT, we believe the road to zero incidents encompasses all facets of effective safety and health programs,” Sizemore said.
Women Construction Owners & Executives National Executive Director Penny Pompei said the health and safety of the construction industry workforce “is of primary importance to company owners.
“Drugs and construction sites do not mix,” Pompei said. “Small businesses often don't have the resources to develop in-depth substance abuse awareness and prevention programs. This coordinated effort by a group of construction industry organizations will provide the tools WCOE's small business owners need to combat this danger to our workers.”
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