Boise, ID — McAlvain Companies, a third-generation Idaho construction firm with deep roots in the Treasure Valley, has formalized its commitment to safety through a new partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in Idaho. The agreement, signed on Aug. 11, represents a voluntary alliance designed to advance worker safety, promote hazard prevention, and expand training opportunities on jobsites.

The partnership is part of OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program (SPP), which brings together employers, employees, and government agencies to proactively address workplace risks before they cause harm. Unlike standard OSHA inspections that are primarily compliance-focused, these agreements encourage collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement.

For McAlvain, the agreement is more than a formality—it’s a public declaration of its intent to raise safety standards above industry norms.

“This partnership with OSHA is a major achievement for McAlvain,” said Josh Diamond, safety director with the company. “It reflects our team’s continued dedication to being proactive and going above and beyond compliance to ensure every worker goes home safely.”

Founded in 1980, McAlvain has grown from a local builder into a key player in Idaho’s commercial, industrial, and civil construction sectors. Over its four decades in business, the company has worked on projects ranging from large-scale infrastructure to complex commercial developments, always emphasizing quality craftsmanship and responsible project delivery.

The OSHA agreement will provide McAlvain access to enhanced safety resources, including specialized hazard analysis tools, industry-specific training programs, and direct consultation with OSHA safety professionals. This proactive approach allows the company to identify and mitigate risks earlier in the construction process.

According to OSHA, such partnerships often lead to measurable reductions in workplace incidents, improved employee morale, and better retention rates. In an industry where high turnover and physically demanding conditions are the norm, those benefits can have long-term business impacts.

McAlvain says it plans to implement several initiatives under the agreement, including:

• Regular joint safety audits with OSHA representatives.
• Expanded worker training covering fall prevention, equipment operation, and emergency response.
• Subcontractor engagement programs to ensure safety standards are consistent across all crews.
• Transparent reporting systems to track and address hazards in real time.

This step also supports the larger Big-D Companies network, McAlvain’s parent company, which operates in multiple states and is committed to embedding safety-first practices across its portfolio.

Industry experts say that while many construction firms meet OSHA’s minimum standards, fewer take the step of voluntarily entering formal partnerships, which require a sustained commitment and regular progress reviews.

By taking this route, McAlvain positions itself as a regional leader in safety innovation, potentially influencing other Idaho contractors to explore similar collaborations.

With construction activity in Idaho at historic highs—driven by both population growth and infrastructure investment—the agreement could have ripple effects across the industry, especially in promoting preventive safety culture over reactive enforcement.

Originally reported by IBR Staff in Idaho Business Review.