Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Delaware and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) renewed the partnership agreement for safety during the September 9, 2004 ABC Delaware STEP Awards Dinner at Christiana Country Club. The agreement recognizes the ABC Platinum Safety Programs as a benchmark standard for safety. ABC Platinum STEP award winners will be recognized as the best of the best in safety by OSHA.

"ABC Delaware is the only organization in the First State to have such a partnering agreement with OSHA," said ABC Delaware President Ed Capodanno. "We are very pleased that we are renewing this agreement for the next five years."

The ABC STEP (Safety, Training and Education Process) program recognizes contractors on an annual basis for company-wide safety performance at the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Platinum members have demonstrated the highest safety standards exemplifying the best safety practices and a proven track record of outstanding safety programs and performance.

ABC’s STEP program was developed and written for contractors, by contractors. Through the STEP program contractors are recognized for annual company-wide safety performance at the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Platinum level members have demonstrated the highest safety standards exemplifying the best safety practices and a proven track record of impeccable safety programs and performance.

"The agreement benefits ABC Platinum winners in a number of ways including the elimination of unprogrammed inspections except in the case of reports of imminent danger, fatalities or catastrophes. Other complaints will be handled over the phone," said Capodanno. "The agreement allows OSHA to focus its resources on companies that have safety concerns rather than companies that have a demonstrated existence of effective safety programs."

"ABC Delaware is pleased to join other ABC chapters across the country in signing an agreement with their local OSHA offices," said ABC Delaware Chairman Rick Treml. "This new five-year agreement includes specific safety goals while it encourages all ABC contractor members to participate in the STEP program. It takes a short period of time at the beginning of each year to complete the STEP application, which is very helpful in evaluating your own safety programs. If you find an area that is lacking, it’s your opportunity to correct it and make the working environment safe for not only your employees, but others working at the same jobsite. We are very pleased to be involved with the Construction Leaders Agreement for Safety program."