US Department of Labor, stakeholders to sign partnership agreement to train, protect workers on Obama Presidential Center from construction hazards

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, Lakeside Alliance and key participants will sign a strategic partnership to prevent serious hazards and enhance workplace safety and health practices for workers constructing the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South side.

The Lakeside Alliance is a joint venture between Powers & Sons Construction Co., UJAMAA Construction Inc., Brown & Momen Inc., Safeway Construction Co. and Turner Construction Co.

“Construction safety requires planning ahead to work safely, using the right equipment and training employees about hazards and safety precautions,” said OSHA’s Chicago South Area Director James Martineck in Tinley Park, Illinois. “OSHA’s partnership aims to protect the thousands of workers bringing the Obama Presidential Center to reality. Compliance and cooperation efforts by all parties on this project will maintain a safe and healthy work environment.”

Lakeside Alliance will implement a strategic safety and health system patterned after OSHA’s “Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs in Construction.” The partnership calls for all contractors on-site to perform daily audits, and for all employees to receive a site-specific construction safety orientation covering jobsite safety and health issues and work procedures. Additionally, bilingual safety and health instructors will provide training to all workers in their language.

“The Lakeside Alliance will work with program partners to develop an extraordinary team culture creating a comprehensive safety and health management system that demonstrates a high standard of care for each other. This 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,” added Michael Blackburn, Lakeside Alliance’s safety representative.

The partnership will address common construction hazards, such as excavation, trenching and falls, the development of effective safety and health management systems and a focus on educating employees and employers about workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The following organizations are also joining in the partnership:

• Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters

• Electrical Workers Local 134

• Laborers District Council

• Pipefitters Local Union 597

• Plumbers Local 130

• Iron Workers Local 1

• Operating Engineers Local 150

• Sheet Metal Workers Local 73

• Cement Finishers Local 502

• Elevator Constructors Local 2

• Heat & Frost Insulators Local 17

• Roofers Local 11

• Sprinkler Fitters Local 281

• Painters District Council 14
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• Iron Workers Local 63
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• Iron Workers Local 136

• Machinists Local 126

• Glaziers Local 27

• Bricklayers Union ADC 1 of Illinois

• Bricklayers Local 21

• Boilermakers Local 1

• Teamsters Local 731

The OSHA Strategic Partnership Program provides opportunities for the agency to collaborate with employers, workers, professional or trade associations, labor organizations, and other stakeholders. Strategic Partnerships are unique agreements designed to encourage, assist, and recognize partner efforts to eliminate serious hazards and enhance workplace safety and health practices and focus on improving safety and health in major corporations, government agencies, at large construction projects and private sector industries. Learn more about OSHA.