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OSHA News Release
2005 - 07/06/2005 - OSHA, State of Wisconsin Form Partnership With M.A. Mortenson Company |
OSHA News Release - Table of Contents |
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Region 5 News Release: 05-1139-CHI Date: July 6, 2005 Contact: Juan Solano Phone: 312-353-6976 OSHA, State of Wisconsin Form Partnership With M.A. Mortenson Company
MADISON, Wis. -- The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), M.A Mortenson Company, and the state of Wisconsin today entered into a new partnership to ensure the safety and health of workers at the Beaver Dam Medical Office Building Construction Project. OSHA health and safety partnerships are part of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao's ongoing efforts to improve health and safety for workers through cooperative programs. Joining in the initiative are the Wisconsin Safety Consultation of the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, and the OSHA Health Consultation Program of the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene. "This partnership will increase safety and health awareness and create an atmosphere of cooperation and assistance," said OSHA Area Director Kimberly Stille in Madison. The total lost workday injury and illness incident rate per 100 employees in Wisconsin is 3.2 compared to the national average of 2.6. A key goal of the partnership is to achieve a total lost workday injury and illness incident rate below the national average. Participants will also strive to increase the number of safety and health programs and increase the number of employees, employers and supervisors who have completed safety training. In order to participate in the partnership, contractors must develop and implement a safety and health program that includes management commitment, employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and safety and health training. All contractors will be required to establish safety programs to ensure that workers are not exposed to serious hazards associated with falls, respiratory hazards, suspended loads, electric shock, silica, noise, and unsafe equipment. All M.A. Mortenson Company on-site supervisory employees will complete OSHA's 30-hour construction course. All employees will receive a site-specific construction safety orientation. In return for meeting these criteria, OSHA may reduce penalties by the maximum allowed in OSHA's Field Inspection Reference Manual and by an additional 10 percent where the employer has taken specific significant steps to achieve a high level of employee protection. OSHA will conduct one unannounced enforcement verification inspection each year during the project. The agency will still conduct inspections in response to reports of imminent danger, a fatality, or a catastrophic accident. Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov. # # #
U.S. Labor Department releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance. |
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