A new national trade organization dedicated exclusively to construction safety and health has launched in the United States: Safety and Health, The Construction Safety Organization. It positions itself around a “Workers First” philosophy, placing worker wellbeing at the centre rather than treating safety as mere regulatory compliance.
A stronger, unified voice for the industry
President Raffi Elchemmas explained the launch: “The idea was built together with our founding members because we believe the construction industry can benefit from a stronger, more unified voice focused specifically on advancing construction safety and health from the perspective of those doing the work every day.” The organization aims to shift the industry’s safety mindset from compliance-driven to worker-centred, engage in federal and state regulatory discussions, and share best practices among contractors to reduce injuries and fatalities.
Experienced leadership, low barrier to entry
The leadership team brings substantial experience: Elchemmas has 15+ years in construction associations, Justin Azbill 30+ years in construction workplace safety, and Scott Ketcham and Tim Irving are former senior OSHA officials with a combined 58 years of federal service; Pete Chaney brings 40+ years of occupational safety and health experience. The organization offers free and low-cost membership tiers to lower barriers for smaller contractors lacking dedicated safety departments. For EHS professionals outside the US, the launch signals a broader trend of industry bodies worldwide moving beyond minimum regulatory compliance; similar voluntary contractor collaborations focused on sharing practical knowledge are seen in other jurisdictions as a valuable complement to existing occupational health and safety legislation.
Source: New Construction Safety Organization Puts ‘Workers First’, September 21, 2026
