2002 - 09/09/2002 - OSHA Partners With South Florida AGC

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OSHA News Release
2002 - 09/09/2002 - OSHA Partners With South Florida AGC

OSHA News Release - Table of Contents

Region 4 News Release USDOL: 02-179
Date: Monday, Sept. 9, 2002
Contact: Teresa Harrison Lorette Post
Phone: (404) 562-2300 (404) 562-2078

OSHA Partners With South Florida AGC

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. -- The Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration wants to reduce injuries, illness and death in the hazardous construction industry - so does Associated General Contractors. With that mutual goal as its centerpiece, a South Florida partnership will be forged between OSHA's Fort Lauderdale Area Office and the South Florida Chapter of the AGC, Monday, Sept. 09, at the South Florida Construction Industry Safety Fair.

"This partnership recognizes employers in the construction industry that have exemplary safety and health programs and those committed to reaching the same level," said Teresa Harrison, OSHA's Atlanta deputy regional administrator. "By entering into this partnership, the South Florida AGC membership agrees to commit the resources necessary to ensure employee safety and health in the construction industry. OSHA is pleased to have the opportunity to work with these committed employers and employees." Harrison will be on hand for the signing ceremony at the Fort Lauderdale Airport Hilton, 1870 Griffin Rd., Dania Beach.

The AGC's Construction Health and Safety Excellence (CHASE) Program consists of three levels of safety performance. To reach the highest blue level, contractors must meet stringent guidelines, including:

implementing a comprehensive written safety and health program;
serving as a mentor for contractors on its projects who have not yet attained the same level;
safety personnel who have completed training equivalent to the OSHA 30-hour Construction Outreach Course and field construction supervisory personnel who have completed training equivalent to the OSHA 10-hour Construction Outreach Course, as well as additional training to achieve designation as a "competent person" in areas such as scaffolding, excavation and fall protection;
employee involvement at all levels of the safety and health program;
safety and health programs and training understandable by non-English speaking employees;
a 100-percent fall protection policy;
an injury/illness incidence rate 10 percent less than the current national rate for the industry, and
no willful or repeat safety violations, or fatality resulting in related serious or willful citations, in the last three years.

As an incentive for attaining blue level status with the AGC, companies become eligible to be removed for 12 months from OSHA's random selection of job site inspections in South Florida. OSHA will conduct on-site inspections only in response to reports of imminent danger, fatalities, catastrophic accidents, signed employee complaints or complaints alleging serious injuries.

OSHA's Fort Lauderdale area office is located at Jacaranda Executive Court, 8040 Peters Road, Suite H-100, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33324. Area Director Luis Santiago can be reached at 954-424-0242.

Associated General Contractors is a national association representing approximately 34,000 contractors in over 100 chapters across the country. The South Florida Chapter, which can be reached at 954-693-9322, comprises 160 employers.

U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this release will be made available in alternative format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755.

OSHA News Release - Table of Contents


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