Gilbane Building Leads Construction Safety Week 2026 Signature Event in Washington, D.C., Marking New Alliance with OSHA
Event Observes National Safety Stand-Down for Fall Protection and Highlights “Recognize, Respond, Respect” to Elevate Industry Health & Safety
Washington, DC – May 6, 2026 – Gilbane Building, serving as Chair of Construction Safety Week 2026, convened nearly 1,000 construction industry professionals including trade workers, industry partners, and federal representatives, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to formalize a landmark alliance between Construction Safety Week and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The event also marked the 13th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction.
During the event, Construction Safety Week and OSHA formally signed the new alliance, an official partnership to strengthen the shared commitment to prevent serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) and advance Total Worker Health across the full construction project life cycle with all industry stakeholders.
The Alliance objectives focus on preventing serious injuries and fatalities, advancing Total Worker Health to holistically improve workforce safety, health, and wellbeing, and shaping the worksite of the future for the construction industry. The alliance aims to provide information, guidance, and access to training and education, engaging stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle with respect for the skilled trades and craft workforce and leveraging the show of force from the Construction Safety Week platform.
“The alliance with OSHA is an important step forward in unifying the industry,” said Adam Jelen, Gilbane Building President and CEO, and 2026 Construction Safety Week Chair. “When industry and government come together, we can drive stronger engagement, awareness, common frameworks, and better education.”
Held during Construction Safety Week (May 4-8, 2026), the event emphasized this year’s headline, “All in Together,” and its core pillars of “Recognize, Respond, Respect,” signifying a unified to call to action on high-energy, high-hazard work to prevent SIFs.
The event brought together stakeholders from across the built environment as part of Construction Safety Week’s vision to deepen the culture of care with alignment around a common framework for advancing safer outcomes. This year’s initiative builds on the industry’s momentum with a continued focus on shared responsibility across every stakeholder and at every phase of the project life cycle.
Jelen said, “Construction Safety Week’s vision focuses on unifying and deepening the culture of care, grounded in a deep respect for the skilled craft. This vision comes with a responsibility that spans all team members and across every phase of a project: design, planning, construction, and operations – the entire built environment ecosystem.”
Construction Safety Week Technical Bulletins
This year, Construction Safety Week introduced a new technical bulletin series developed by its Technical Committee in collaboration with industry leaders, safety experts, and skilled craft professionals. These bulletins, anchored in the theme: Recognize, Respond, Respect, support a more consistent, proactive approach to managing high-risk hazards across the project lifecycle. They are available at constructionsafetyweek.com/technical-bulletins.
National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction
The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is a key moment during Construction Safety Week, encouraging companies across the U.S. and Canada to pause work on May 6, or when feasible during the week, to reinforce fall prevention and fall protection practices. The nationwide event focuses on preventing falls, the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry, and reinforces the importance of planning, training, and hazard awareness to protect workers.
About Construction Safety Week
Construction Safety Week is the construction industry’s annual initiative that highlights an ongoing commitment to building a culture of health and safety. By sharing best practices, tools and resources at jobsites and offices across North America, Construction Safety Week fosters collaboration and continuous improvement.
About Gilbane Building
Gilbane Building is a global leader in construction management, delivering high-quality projects for clients across various markets. Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from preconstruction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services. Founded in 1870, Gilbane is still a privately held, family-owned company. With more than 45 office locations worldwide, Gilbane brings world-class experience to local communities.