OSHA – Building Pennsylvania

GM McCrossin Recognized for Most Improved Safety Performance at KCA Construction Celebration

HARRISBURG, PA — The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) proudly recognized G.M. McCrossin, Inc. with its Most Improved Safety Performance Award during the 2026 Construction Celebration, honoring the company’s remarkable progress in workplace safety since the previous KCA Safety Awards program.

The award recognizes a contractor that has demonstrated the greatest improvement in its safety performance over the past year, reflecting a strong commitment to continuous improvement, employee engagement, and building a culture where safety is the highest priority.

G.M. McCrossin President Robert Leahey accepted the award on behalf of the company during the annual celebration, which brought together construction leaders, contractors, labor partners, elected officials, and industry stakeholders from across Pennsylvania.

Headquartered in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, G.M. McCrossin is one of the Commonwealth’s leading heavy highway and infrastructure contractors, completing complex transportation and infrastructure projects while maintaining a strong commitment to protecting its workforce.

“One of the hallmarks of a great safety culture is the willingness to continually improve,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director of the Keystone Contractors Association. “G.M. McCrossin’s progress over the past year demonstrates that safety excellence is a journey built on leadership, accountability, training, and the dedication of every employee. We congratulate Robert Leahey and the entire G.M. McCrossin team for earning this well-deserved recognition.”

The Most Improved Safety Performance Award highlights the belief that every contractor—regardless of size or previous performance—can strengthen its safety culture through a commitment to learning, continuous evaluation, and investing in its people.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Keystone Contractors Association,” said Robert Leahey, President of G.M. McCrossin, Inc. “Improving safety requires commitment from every member of our organization. This award reflects the hard work of our employees, supervisors, and leadership team who have embraced the responsibility of looking out for one another every day. While we are proud of this achievement, we remain committed to continually raising the bar and ensuring every employee returns home safely.”

The Keystone Contractors Association’s annual Safety Awards recognize contractors that exemplify excellence in workplace safety and encourage continuous improvement across Pennsylvania’s commercial construction industry.

About G.M. McCrossin, Inc.

G.M. McCrossin, Inc., headquartered in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, is a leading heavy highway and infrastructure contractor serving clients throughout Pennsylvania. The company specializes in roadways, bridges, utilities, and transportation infrastructure while maintaining a strong commitment to quality, innovation, and workplace safety.

About the Keystone Contractors Association

The Keystone Contractors Association is a leading Pennsylvania commercial construction association, representing construction contractors and industry partners. KCA advances workforce development, safety, education, and advocacy efforts to strengthen Pennsylvania’s construction industry and build the next generation of construction professionals.

Media Contact:
Jon O’Brien
Executive Director
Keystone Contractors Association
717-731-6272
Jon@KeystoneContractors.com

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending July 24, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week. To read this newsletter on a new platform click: PA’s Top Construction Stories.

Philadelphia Energy Retrofit Program Creates Major Construction Opportunities: A significant municipal energy modernization program is underway that will renovate 14 city-owned buildings through Pennsylvania’s Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA). Construction began this summer and is expected to create approximately 300 jobs, with more than half of the work performed by local contractors. Mechanical, HVAC, electrical, and building systems contractors are expected to benefit. READ MORE.

Large Project Opportunities Continue to Enter the Bidding Pipeline: Commercial contractors seeking new work continue to see opportunities across Pennsylvania in healthcare, education, industrial, municipal, and mixed-use developments. Project lead services are reporting a steady flow of commercial projects available for bidding throughout the state. READ MORE.

Commonwealth recently announced nearly $445 million in RACP funding for 356 projects statewide: Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy, based on analysis done by Moody’s Analytics, and the region’s top state for business, according to CNBC. This RACP funding strengthens communities by assisting with construction jobs. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Rocky Bleier Construction Group Receives KCA Safety Award for Outstanding Safety Performance

HARRISBURG, PA — The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) proudly announced that Rocky Bleier Construction Group has been named the recipient of the 2025 Safety Award for the safest general contractor in Pennsylvania among companies reporting between 50,000 and 100,000 work hours.

The award was presented during KCA’s annual Construction Celebration, where construction industry leaders from across the Commonwealth gathered to recognize companies that exemplify excellence in safety, workforce development, and leadership within Pennsylvania’s commercial construction industry.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Rocky Bleier Construction Group has earned a strong reputation for delivering high-quality commercial construction projects while fostering a workplace culture where safety is a core value. The company’s commitment to employee training, proactive planning, and accountability has helped establish one of the safest work environments in the Commonwealth.

The KCA Safety Award recognizes general contractors that achieve exceptional safety performance while completing a significant volume of construction work. Companies receiving this honor demonstrate that protecting workers is fundamental to successful project delivery and long-term business excellence.

“Rocky Bleier Construction Group has built a culture where safety is embedded into every aspect of its operations,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director of the Keystone Contractors Association. “Receiving Pennsylvania’s top safety award among general contractors with between 50,000 and 100,000 work hours is an outstanding accomplishment. This recognition reflects the company’s dedication to protecting its employees, supporting its clients, and setting a standard of excellence for the entire construction industry.”

Rocky Bleier Construction Group attributes the award to the commitment of its employees, project managers, field supervisors, and leadership team, who work together every day to ensure every jobsite operates safely and efficiently. Safety is the foundation of everything they do and this award reflects their commitment to continuously strengthening their safety culture.

The Keystone Contractors Association’s annual Safety Awards recognize construction companies that demonstrate outstanding safety performance and reinforce the industry’s commitment to ensuring that every construction professional returns home safely at the end of each workday.

About Rocky Bleier Construction Group

Rocky Bleier Construction Group, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a commercial construction company serving clients throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. The company provides construction management, general contracting, and related services while emphasizing quality, integrity, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to workplace safety.

About the Keystone Contractors Association

Media Contact:
Jon O’Brien
Executive Director
Keystone Contractors Association
717-731-6272
Jon@KeystoneContractors.com

Ralph E. Jones, Inc. Receives KCA Safety Award for Outstanding Safety Performance

HARRISBURG, PA — The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) proudly announced that Ralph E. Jones, Inc. has been named the recipient of the 2025 Safety Award for the safest subcontractor in Pennsylvania among companies reporting between 50,000 and 100,000 work hours.

The award was presented during KCA’s annual Construction Celebration, where construction industry leaders from across the Commonwealth gathered to recognize excellence in safety, workforce development, and leadership in Pennsylvania’s commercial construction industry.

Headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Ralph E. Jones, Inc. has built a longstanding reputation for delivering quality specialty construction services while maintaining an unwavering commitment to workplace safety. The company has consistently demonstrated that a proactive safety culture is essential to protecting employees and delivering successful projects throughout Pennsylvania.

The KCA Safety Award recognizes subcontractors that achieve exceptional safety performance while completing a significant volume of work. Companies earning this distinction exemplify the highest standards of training, planning, accountability, and employee engagement, proving that safety is fundamental to every successful project.

“Ralph E. Jones, Inc. has earned this recognition through a steadfast commitment to protecting its workforce every day,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director of the Keystone Contractors Association. “Achieving Pennsylvania’s top safety record among subcontractors with between 50,000 and 100,000 work hours is an outstanding accomplishment. It reflects a culture where safety is embraced by every employee—from company leadership to the field—and serves as an example for our entire industry.”

During the Construction Celebration awards presentation, company officials said the award reflects the dedication and professionalism of every employee who contributes to maintaining safe jobsites and continuously improving safety practices. Additionally, at the event Ralph E Jones representatives expressed how safety is one of their core values and is woven into every aspect of their work.

The Keystone Contractors Association’s annual Safety Awards recognize contractors that demonstrate outstanding safety performance and reinforce the industry’s commitment to protecting the skilled tradespeople who build Pennsylvania’s schools, hospitals, manufacturing facilities, infrastructure, and commercial buildings.

About Ralph E. Jones, Inc.

Ralph E. Jones, Inc., headquartered in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is a respected specialty construction contractor serving commercial, industrial, healthcare, educational, and institutional clients throughout Pennsylvania. The company is recognized for its quality craftsmanship, experienced workforce, and unwavering commitment to workplace safety. For more information visit: Home Page | Ralph E. Jones, Inc.

About the Keystone Contractors Association

The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) is a leading Pennsylvania commercial construction association representing contractors, specialty contractors, suppliers, and industry partners. KCA is dedicated to advancing the construction industry through advocacy, workforce development, education, safety, and member services while helping build a stronger Pennsylvania.

Media Contact:
Jon O’Brien
Executive Director
Keystone Contractors Association
717-884-2801
Jon@KeystoneContractors.com

Penn Installations Earns KCA’s Highest Safety Honor for Pennsylvania Subcontractors

HARRISBURG, PA — The Keystone Contractors Association (KCA) proudly announced that Penn Installations has been recognized as the as the safest subcontractor in Pennsylvania among companies reporting more than 100,000 work hours in 2025.

The award was presented during KCA’s annual Construction Celebration, where construction leaders from across the Commonwealth gathered to recognize excellence in safety, workforce development, and the building industry.

Based in Summerhill, Pennsylvania, Penn Installations provides construction services on projects throughout the Commonwealth and has established a reputation for delivering quality work while maintaining an unwavering commitment to employee safety.

The KCA Safety Award recognizes subcontractors that demonstrate exceptional safety performance while completing a significant volume of work. Receiving the award reflects a company-wide commitment to protecting employees, investing in training, and fostering a culture where safety is the foundation of every project.

“Penn Installations has set the standard for safety excellence in Pennsylvania’s construction industry,” said Jon O’Brien, Executive Director of the KCA. “Managing more than 100,000 work hours while achieving the Commonwealth’s top safety record is an extraordinary accomplishment. This recognition reflects the dedication of every employee and leader who makes safety the first priority every day.”

Penn Installations credits the award to the commitment of its entire workforce, from field employees to supervisors and management, who work together to ensure every project is completed safely and successfully.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Keystone Contractors Association,” said Howard Bernstein, President of Penn Installations. “Safety is more than a program at Penn Installations—it is part of our culture. Every member of our team takes personal responsibility for protecting one another, and this award is a reflection of that shared commitment. We thank KCA for this recognition and remain dedicated to continuous improvement as we serve clients across Pennsylvania.”

The Keystone Contractors Association’s annual Safety Awards recognize contractors whose outstanding safety performance demonstrates that protecting workers is essential to building successful projects and a stronger construction industry.

About Penn Installations

Penn Installations, headquartered in Summerhill, Pennsylvania, is a leading construction subcontractor serving clients throughout Pennsylvania. The company is recognized for its commitment to quality workmanship, dependable service, and an industry-leading culture of safety.

About the Keystone Contractors Association

Media Contact:
Jon O’Brien
Executive Director
Keystone Contractors Association
717-731-6272
Jon@KeystoneContractors.com

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending June 26, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Pennsylvania budget negotiations continue to influence construction: With the state budget deadline approaching, infrastructure funding, economic development incentives and data center legislation continue to be negotiated. Contractors are watching closely because final budget decisions could affect public building, infrastructure and economic development projects across the Commonwealth. READ MORE.

Philadelphia institutional construction remains active: Despite continued softness in the office market, healthcare, higher education and institutional construction continue to provide opportunities in the Philadelphia region. Commercial developers remain focused on adaptive reuse and specialized facilities rather than speculative office construction. READ MORE.

Panzitta Enterprises Receives KCA’s Highest Safety Honor – The H.B. Alexander Safety Cup: At this year’s Construction Celebration, Panzitta Enterprises was honored as the general contractor in Pennsylvania with the best safety record among firms reporting with over 100,000 hours worked. Named in honor of H.B. Alexander who was a pioneer in Pennsylvania’s construction industry for many reasons like helping the Associated General Contractors of America establish its Safety Committee in the early 1950s, which is almost two decades before OSHA was created. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending May 22, 2026

Please join the KCA in taking a moment this Memorial Day weekend to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. May we carry their legacy forward with gratitude, respect and a commitment to the freedoms they protected.

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week.

Contractors Relieved by PA Supreme Court Decision in the Clearfield County Case: The case was Clearfield County v. Transystems Corp., involving defects alleged at the Clearfield County jail project that had originally been completed in 1981. Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ruled that Pennsylvania’s 12-year construction statute of repose cannot be bypassed by government entities using the doctrine of nullum tempus (“time does not run against the king”). If the county had won, public owners potentially could have pursued construction claims decades after projects were completed. The Keystone Contractors Association filed an amicus brief supporting the contractors and arguing against extending nullum tempus to statutes of repose. The Court’s opinion specifically acknowledged KCA’s participation along with several industry groups. This week the KCA hosted a seminar on the decision, to watch the video: We Dodged A Bullet, Understanding the PA Supreme Court’s Clearfield County Decision.

AI & Data Center Construction Boom Continues to Dominate: The largest story in Pennsylvania construction remains the surge in AI-driven data center development. State lawmakers are now debating new regulations tied to energy use, utility infrastructure, and clean-energy requirements for hyperscale facilities. Major projects tied to Amazon Web Services and the Homer City redevelopment continue driving huge labor demand across the trades. READ MORE.

Office-to-Residential Conversions Accelerating: Adaptive reuse continues gaining traction across Pennsylvania cities. A 120-year-old office tower in Downtown Pittsburgh is being converted into affordable housing in a $30 million redevelopment project. READ MORE.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

The Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending April 10, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Philadelphia Parking Garage Collapse: The construction community in Pennsylvania is deeply saddened by the tragic parking garage collapse in Philadelphia. On behalf of the KCA, we extend our deepest sympathy to the families of the Ironworkers involved. A parking garage under construction at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia partially collapsed, killing one worker and there are two missing, with others rescued. Early reports suggest a progressive “floor-by-floor” failure of the structure. READ MORE.

PennDOT’s $655M Construction Push (Northeast PA): PennDOT announced a record $655 million construction program for 2026. Includes: 67 new projects + 81 ongoing; work on 200 bridges; and, improvements to 80 miles of roadway. Key projects include: I-81 and I-84 upgrades (Scranton/Dunmore) and Major bridge replacements and interchange reconstructions. Why it matters: strong public-sector pipeline; significant bid opportunities for contractors; and, heavy demand for heavy highway, bridge, and materials sectors. READ MORE.

New State Park Development (Western PA): Laurel Caverns is becoming Pennsylvania’s first underground state park, opening April 22 with infrastructure upgrades. Why it matters: this shows growth in recreational construction & tourism infrastructure and public investment tied to economic development. Read More.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending April 3, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

Massive Power Plant + Data Center Project Moving Forward (Western PA): This is one of the most important construction stories in PA right now, tying energy infrastructure directly to the AI/data center boom: A 4.5-gigawatt natural gas plant + data center campus is under construction in Homer City (Indiana County). Designed to support AI/data center demand, one of the biggest drivers of construction statewide right now. A current update: first structural steel now going vertical; and, there are now 1,200 construction workers on-site (expected to grow to 3,500). The scheduled completion is 2028. Key impact: Adds power capacity while fueling billions in tech-related construction. READ MORE.

Construction Hiring Is Growing—Driven by Data Centers + Infrastructure: Latest U.S. jobs report: Construction added ~30,000 jobs in March. What’s behind it: Data centers + energy + infrastructure projects are a major driver of construction hiring growth. Contractors are competing heavily for: skilled trades; project managers; and electrical specialists. READ MORE.

Amtrak Station Construction Begins in Central PA: Amtrak is starting major renovations at Lewistown Station this week. Work includes: platform upgrades; accessibility improvements; and, modernized passenger facilities. Construction begins April 7, 2026. This reflects a broader trend of transportation infrastructure upgrades across Pennsylvania. READ MORE.

PHOTO CAPTION: This week CSI Lehigh Valley held its annual CSI Expo, one of the most popular construction educational events of the year. KCA was proud to be represented there. In the photo is CSI Board Member Tina Montone and KCA’s Jon O’Brien.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!

Pennsylvania Construction Recap – The Top Stories for the Week Ending March 27, 2026

Here are the top Pennsylvania construction stories this week:

$17B Mega Energy Project Proposed for Southwest PA: A $17 billion natural gas-powered energy hub is being planned in southwestern Pennsylvania. The project could generate 4.3 GW of electricity (≈3 million homes) and support massive data center growth. It also includes potential transmission line construction and reflects a broader surge in energy + data infrastructure builds. Why it matters: This is one of the largest potential construction investments in the state and ties directly to AI/data center demand. READ MORE.

Fast-Track Program Accelerating Major Projects: Pennsylvania’s Permit Fast Track Program is speeding up approvals for large construction projects. Key developments include: Data centers (Amazon + others); Bellwether District (1,300-acre redevelopment in Philadelphia); PennSTART transportation test facility (Westmoreland County). Some projects are moving ~1 year faster than traditional timelines. Why it matters: Faster permitting = more predictable pipelines for contractors and developers. READ MORE.

PennDOT Construction & Infrastructure Investment: PennDOT continues major investments statewide, including: 230+ million in projects across northern PA and Work on 86 miles of roadway and 59 bridges. Example active project: $83.6 million US-422 reconstruction + bridge replacements in Montgomery County. Why it matters: Public infrastructure remains a steady driver of construction demand. READ MORE.

PHOTO CAPTION: This week the KCA held seminar three of four in the Building A Strong Workforce series. Thanks to Houck for hosting this event and a special thanks to Pro-A for developing this seminar series and delivering it to the region’s construction industry. Presenter Nikki Weir of Pro-A is seen in the photo with KCA’s Jon O’Brien. UP NEXT: The final presentation in this series will be held at Pennoni, for more information visit: Building A Strong Workforce, Seminar 4 of 4: Mental Health Resources, Wednesday, Apr 22 from 12 pm to 1:30 pm.

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Keep Building Pennsylvania!