OSHA partnership will protect laborers on Oregon Clean Energy Center project in Ohio

Participants: U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Black & Veatch Construction Inc., Power Plant Management Services LLC, Mosser Construction Company, AZCO Inc., Go, Gradel Co., Evaptech Inc. and local trade unions

Strategic Partnership: Between Black & Veatch Construction Inc. and OSHA for the Oregon Clean Energy Center in Oregon, Ohio.

Background: Black & Veatch Construction Inc. has begun constructing the $860 million Oregon Clean Energy Center project in Oregon, Ohio, which is expected to generate about 500 construction jobs. Under the partnership agreement, all contractors and subcontractors on the project will be committed to providing a safe and healthful work environment for employees.

The partnership, signed Oct. 16, will focus on establishing proactive measures for common hazards found at construction sites. This will include an emphasis on personal protective equipment, job site orientations, weekly safety meetings and a requirement for all contractors working on the site to provide copies of their written safety and health programs and follow established safety protocols.

Duration: Completion is estimated in June 2017.

QUOTES: "We're excited about this new partnership, because we know efforts like these improve workplace safety by fostering teamwork and prevention among all contractors on the job site," said Kim Nelson, OSHA's area director in Toledo. "OSHA and Black & Veatch want to ensure all companies working on this project put worker safety first."

"Black & Veatch places the highest importance on the safety and health of its workforce and contractors," said Brad Warn, vice president & director of BVCI. "This OSHA program is an important resource in accomplishing our safety objectives. Black & Veatch is grateful for this opportunity to partner with OSHA on the Oregon Clean Energy Center project. This marks the 20th project where the company has engaged in OSHA's cooperative compliance programs."

Through its Strategic Partnership Program, OSHA partners with employers, workers, professional and trade associations, labor organizations and other interested stakeholders to establish specific goals, strategies and performance measures to improve worker safety and health.

Representatives from OSHA, Black & Veatch Construction Inc., and area trades signed a partnership to protect laborers on the Oregon Clean Energy Center Project, Oct. 16.