OSHA, Turner Construction forge partnership to train, protect construction workers on CH2 Data Center in Northlake, Illinois

Participants: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Turner Construction Company, area trade unions.

Background: OSHA and Turner Construction Turner Company established a partnership to protect workers on the CH2 Data Center project in Northlake. The partnership includes trade unions and 15 subcontractors, with a combined workforce of more than 500 employees. Construction of the $275 million 22.8 megawatt data center is expected to be complete in 2018.

The partnership will emphasize reducing injury and illness on the job site and will focus training on the top four construction industry hazards – falls, struck-by, caught-in/between and electrocutions.

The partnership will require all employers, contractors and sub-contractors to implement written safety and health programs conduct daily pre-task planning and safety huddles, and job site inspections and involve workers in weekly site safety meetings. In addition, OSHA will review these programs at least annually to track and compare information on injury and illness rates, share best practices and review goals.

QUOTES: “Workplace safety is achieved when labor, management and employees work together to recognize hazards and train workers in safety protocols and procedures,” said Angeline Loftus, OSHA’s area director for its Chicago North Office in Des Plaines. “OSHA has found partnerships like this set a standard for all employers working on the project that safety will not be compromised.”

“Turner Construction Company will work with the Program partners as a team to support a culture and environment where safety is paramount and that the workers on site go home safely every day. Turner will assist the program partners with implementing a comprehensive safety and health management system. The inclusive approach identifies and mitigates risks, engages those closest to the risk, provides training to increase capabilities, and integrates a risk analysis observation process with feedback to coach, support and recognize safe practices,” said Michael Blackburn, Turner’s Regional Safety Director for the Chicago office.

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