Safety Recognition Programs

ABC’s STEP Safety Management System provides contractors and suppliers with a robust, no-cost framework for measuring safety data and benchmarking with peers in the industry. The self-assessment tool helps participants identify real opportunities for scalable growth in their safety programs to lower their total recordable incident rates.

Strengthen and Expand Best Practices

Once identified, growth opportunities spur deeper conversations between leaders and team members to develop a plan of action to implement best practices tailored to company needs. In the ever-expanding world of construction safety technology, continuously improve your program to ensure employees are set up for success now and in the future.

Build Your Safety Culture

Safety requires innovation, skill and talent in addition to a proven strategy to create industry-leading programs. Top-performing ABC members actively build health and safety into their culture, fueling the power and purpose in their people to deliver for their clients. Leaders and employees commit to holistic safety programs ensuring the total human health of their team.

The Accredited Quality Contractor program was launched in 1993. It is a program which publicly recognizes and honors those construction firms which have documented their commitment in five key areas of corporate responsibility:

Quality
Safety (STEP Gold, Platinum or Diamond Level Required)
Employee Benefits
Training
Community Relations and Diversity

Benefits of An Accredited Quality Contractor

Wide recognition within the industry, the business community, and the public
National and local recognition in publications
Authorization to use AQC language in bid documents
Permission to use the AQC logo on letterhead, business cards and jobsite signs
Access to AQC Marketing Materials such as stickers, brochures, membership plaque, etc.
Points on National Excellence in Construction Awards submissions for being AQC certified

Apply for AQC

Looking to Become an ABC Top Performer?

ABC’s roadmap to Top Performer begins with STEP data submission and your Accredited Quality Contractor application. Both portals are now open! Take the first STEP on your journey to earning Top Performer recognition by completing the STEP Safety Management System self-assessment in as little as 30 minutes!

STEP 1: Complete your safety self-assessment at abc.org/step and earn STEP Gold, Platinum or Diamond.
STEP 2: Apply for the AQC credential at abc.org/aqc.
STEP 3: Your AQC credential automatically makes you eligible for ABC’s Top Performers lists.

Through STEP, AQC and other robust ABC programs, ABC Top Performers demonstrate they:

Sustain and grow their businesses, financially and economically
Offer market-competitive compensation, benefit and retirement packages
Commit to world-class safety
Commit to workforce development, education and creating career opportunities
Commit to an inclusive and diverse work environment
Develop opportunities for their employees to achieve their career dreams
Cultivate committed leadership

Top Performers stand out from the competition, enjoying:

Promotion to project owners in the industrial, manufacturing, petrochemical and health care industries at the annual ABC Users Summit.
Coverage in dozens of outlets in construction, business and local media, plus template news releases and social media posts that honorees can use in their own communications and on ABC’s social media platforms.
Featured placement on abc.org and FindContractors.com, ABC’s member referral website.
Access to Top Performers- branded apparel, plaques and promotional items in the ABC Store.
Recognition at ABC’s national events throughout the year.

For questions about the STEP application, please email stepapps@abc.org. For questions about the AQC program, please email aqc@abc.org.

Founded in 1989 by the ABC National Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) Committee as a safety benchmarking and improvement tool, the Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) has evolved into a world-class safety management system that dramatically improves safety performance among participants regardless of company size or type of work. Participating ABC member firms measure their safety processes and policies on 25 key components through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidents.