OSHA partners with general contractor to protect workers during Little Rock, Arkansas, outlet mall construction project

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The goal of a new strategic partnership formed today between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and general contractor CDI Contractors LLC is to ensure the health and safety of workers during the construction of the Little Rock Outlets Mall in Little Rock.

"The strategic partnership between CDI and OSHA affirms a shared commitment toward providing a safe work environment during the project's construction," said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA's area director in Little Rock. "This agreement will help to ensure that goal is accomplished."

Little Rock-based CDI, with two offices in Arkansas, employs about 298 workers, and 13 of those employees are connected to the Little Rock Outlets Mall construction project. OSHA and CDI will work to reduce serious workplace injuries and illnesses, increase the number of safety and health programs among contractors and subcontractors and build a relationship focused on preventing work-related fatalities. The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2015.

OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program helps encourage, assist and recognize partner efforts to eliminate serious workplace hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health. Most strategic partnerships aim to have a broad impact by building cooperative relationships with groups of employers and workers. These partnerships are voluntary relationships among OSHA, employers, worker representatives and groups, such as trade unions, trade and professional associations, universities and other government agencies.

Employers and employees with questions about this and other OSHA cooperative programs can call OSHA's Little Rock Area Office at 501-224-1841.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.