By Eric S. Cavallo - Licensed Commercial Building Contractor, Virginia | Member, International Code Council (ICC) | Appointed Board Member, Virginia Beach Board of Zoning Appeals (2025–2029) | Advisory Committee Member, Virginia DHCD – SB195 Code Reform | Founder & CEO, Earthly Infrastructure® Building and Infrastructure Development Inc.
Jobsite safety remains one of the most critical obligations within the construction industry—not merely as a matter of project performance, but as a legal requirement, an ethical imperative, and a professional benchmark. In Virginia, construction safety expectations are governed by a combination of federal and state oversight, including the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program, OSHA standards under 29 CFR Part 1926, and enforcement mechanisms contained within the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). These frameworks exist to ensure a uniform minimum standard for safe practice across every licensed construction activity in the Commonwealth.
However, the successful implementation of safety measures is not accomplished by regulation alone. It is achieved through the culture, planning, and day-to-day decisions of builders, subcontractors, project managers, and trade partners. Effective safety programs demand more than posted signage and required PPE—they require comprehensive pre-task planning, documented job hazard analyses, qualified supervision, and transparent chains of responsibility. When these systems fail, the consequences are not theoretical: injuries, litigation, insurance exposure, and long-term reputational harm become very real.
In Virginia’s rapidly growing markets—particularly in the multifamily, commercial, and infrastructure sectors—the complexity of projects compounds risk. Overlapping scopes of work, dense scheduling, and limited staging areas introduce unique safety challenges that cannot be deferred or overlooked. From excavation support systems and fall protection plans to confined space entry and material handling protocols, each phase of construction demands a risk-aware approach. The firms that compete successfully in today’s industry understand that incident prevention is not separate from business strategy—it is central to it.
Furthermore, jobsite safety is not confined to the physical boundaries of the construction zone. Projects that fail to manage public interface—through improperly secured perimeters, unmarked hazards, or insufficient traffic control—can jeopardize public welfare, invite enforcement action, and erode confidence in the construction profession. Safety, therefore, is not merely internal compliance—it is a signal of professionalism to the broader community, including municipalities, neighbors, and end users.
The Built Safe, Built VA initiative was developed to promote a statewide culture of safety-conscious construction, grounded in law and reinforced by ethical practice. In today’s regulatory environment, it is no longer acceptable to treat safety as a temporary campaign or a check-the-box obligation. It must be embedded into the operational DNA of every contractor and design professional licensed to build in Virginia. When we build safely, we protect lives, uphold our licenses, and elevate the industry as a whole.
I invite fellow professionals, regulators, and stakeholders to share their perspectives on how we can continue strengthening safety practices across Virginia’s construction sector. Your insights are welcome as part of this ongoing conversation.
