News Brief
US Department of Labor, Ringland-Johnson Construction partnership will promote workplace safety during Rockford’s Hard Rock Casino project
Participants: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Ringland-Johnson Construction Company
Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council
Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program
What: Strategic partnership agreement
OSHA signed a strategic partnership to promote the use of best practices for protecting the safety and health of workers and others during construction of the Hard Rock Casino project in Rockford, Illinois. Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Safety Director Alberto Jotauta, Ringland-Johnson Construction Company President Brent B. Johnson, OSHA’s Naperville Area Office Director Jacob Scott and Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program Chief Erik Kambarian met on April 18, 2023 to sign the partnership agreement.
Background: On April 18, 2023, OSHA Naperville Area Office Director Jacob Scott signed a strategic partnership agreement with Ringland-Johnson Construction Company President Brent B. Johnson, Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Safety Director Alberto Jotautas and Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program Chief Erik Kambarian to promote safety and health practices during the construction of the Hard Rock Casino in Rockford, Illinois.
General contractor Ringland-Johnson will oversee construction of a 166,500 square-foot casino, restaurants, live music venue and support space. More than 1,200 tradespersons are expected to work on the project through its scheduled Aug. 31, 2024 completion.
The partnership requires all contractors, subcontractors and tier-subcontractors on the site to develop and implement written safety and health programs and provide safety and health training to employees, employers and supervisors. Participants will focus on common construction hazards such as falls, struck-by and caught-in objects as well as the use of personal protective equipment, electrical safe work practices, the safe use of hand and power tools, and exposure to silica and other hazardous substances.
Under terms of the partnership, Ringland-Johnson will hold pre-construction meetings with each contractor and to review site specific safety plans and pre-task work plans for their primary tasks. OSHA 30-hour certifications are required for on-site competent person for all contractors, subcontractors and tier-subcontractors. Additionally, workers will participate in daily stretch and strength training and weekly toolbox meetings to discuss safety topics and evaluate safe work practices on site.
OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program 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.
Quote: “The Hard Rock Casino construction project is a good example of how public-private sector partnerships can provide a proven, collaborative framework for enhancing worker safety,” said OSHA Area Director Jacob Scott in Naperville, Illinois. “In fact, strategic partnerships also lead to increase worker involvement, training and education and accountability for safe work practices.”
