Region 5 News Release
Date: June 27, 2002
Contact: Juan Solano
Phone: (312) 353-6976

CHICAGO -- The safety and health of construction workers at the Soldier Field Renovation Project will get a boost tomorrow thanks to a partnership agreement between contractors, various agencies in Illinois, and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Deputy Secretary of Labor Cameron Findlay will represent the department at a partnership signing ceremony tomorrow morning at the field. He will be joined by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Administrator John L. Henshaw.

"This partnership is a major step forward to ensure the protection of the many workers who will be involved in this important project for Chicago," said Henshaw. "We're looking forward to a close working relationship with the partners who have placed worker safety and health as a top priority."

The Soldier Field Renovation Partnership formalizes a commitment to safety and health among contractors, subcontractors, workers, and governmental agencies. Joining with OSHA in the year-long partnership are: Turner/Barton Malow/Kenny Joint Venture (project general contractors), Zurich Services Corporation; Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council; Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs; On-Site Safety and Health Consultation, Chicago; and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters, and Aon.

The partnership agreement outlines a cooperative effort to ensure a safe work environment and sets an injury and illness rate goal of 2.9 or less -- 30 percent below the average in the construction industry. New safety and health initiatives have already begun, including a new site-specific training program for workers and establishment of safety teams that include representatives from labor, management, OSHA, and the state of Illinois.

The partnership will implement a comprehensive safety audit program to ensure that workers are not exposed to serious hazards associated with falls, electric shock, trenches, excavations, scaffolding, cranes, and moving equipment or materials. The orientation program familiarizes workers with potential hazards and personal protective equipment requirements.

Michael G. Connors, Regional Administrator for OSHA in Chicago praised the partnership for its commitment to worker safety and health. "The goal of this partnership is to prevent construction fatalities and serious injuries. That challenge demands a cooperative, highly coordinated effort. This partnership provides the framework for that effort."