ORLANDO — The Associated General Contractors of Florida announced Tuesday the launch of SafeBuild Florida, a statewide construction safety certification program developed in partnership with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation that will require new safety training standards for workers on state-funded projects above $5 million.
The program, which takes effect Oct. 1, 2026, mandates 30-hour OSHA training for all supervisors and 10-hour training for all general laborers on covered projects. Workers who complete the program receive a tamper-proof wallet card and are registered in a state database accessible to general contractors and project owners.
“Florida’s construction fatality rate remains above the national average, and that is unacceptable,” said AGC Florida Executive Director Andrew Tuckman. “SafeBuild Florida is a direct response to our members’ commitment to getting every worker home safely every day.”
The DBPR will oversee the credential database and partner with the Florida Department of Management Services to incorporate safety certification requirements into standard state construction contract language.
The program is modeled after similar initiatives in New York and California that have demonstrated measurable reductions in workplace injuries. AGC Florida cited a Cornell University study showing 10-hour OSHA training reduces injury rates by an average of 23 percent on covered projects.
The Florida Building Industry Association, representing residential contractors, welcomed the initiative but raised concerns about implementation timelines for smaller subcontractors. The two organizations are in discussions about a modified phase-in period for companies with fewer than 25 employees.
Author: Construction FL News
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