Associated Builders and Contractors, Washington, D.C. and the construction unit of insurer CNA, Chicago, plan to launch a three-year partnership in January 2012 to advance best practices in the construction safety sector. CNA’s construction unit provides insurance offerings to construction contractors including insurance coverages and claim and risk control services.

Under the partnership, CNA will provide ABC with access to its safety resources library, safety experts, and help to enhance the value of ABC’s Safety Training Evaluation Process, ABC says. CNA will also sponsor ABC’s annual National Safety Excellence Awards as well as the safety management track at ABC’s EdCon & Expo, next April.

“The new emphasis on safety and the awards programs will encourage members to revisit their own safety programs and put them at the top of their goals list, where they belong,” says Ruth Mulford, ABC’s Long Island/Metro Regional vice president.

CNA’s other association partnerships include the Building Equipment Installation and Repair Contractors; Concrete Contractors; Electrical Contractors; General Contractors; Grading/Excavation Contractors; Highway/Street and Road Contractors; Landscaping and Lawn Care Contractors; Renewable Energy Contractors; Roofing Contractors; Sheet Metal, Mechanical, A/C, and Plumbing Contractors; Spa and Swimming Pool Contractors; and Utility and Excavation  Contractors.