Region 7 News Release: 09-537-KAN
May 27, 2009
Contact: Jeremy Eggers
Phone: 303-844-1299

U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA focuses special emphasis program on stimulus-funded construction projects in Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Wichita Area Office has launched a local special emphasis program in Kansas aimed at reducing workplace hazards on construction projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act).

Through increased awareness and enforcement activities, OSHA's goal is to reduce employee exposures to hazards on construction sites receiving Recovery Act funding.

"The hazards associated with the construction industry are well recognized, especially on large projects involving highways, bridges, new building construction, and existing building renovation and demolition operations,” said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "OSHA's Wichita Area Office will devote resources to outreach and enforcement activities for employers of Recovery Act-funded sites in Kansas to help ensure worksites are safe and healthful.”

Under the program, OSHA will develop a special emphasis list of jobsites specifically funded by the Recovery Act. Due to the mobility of employers in the construction industry, the transitory nature of construction sites and the fact that sites often involve more than one employer, inspections will target specific jobsites rather than specific employers. All employers active at a selected jobsite will be included in the inspection activity.

For more information, call OSHA's Wichita Area Office at 316-269-6644 or toll-free at 800-362-2896.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to promote the safety and health of America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department 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.