Background:

On June 5, 2008, OSHA and the Skanska Tully Joint Venture signed an OSHA Strategic Partnership (OSP) which addresses construction industry safety and health hazards such as: falls, struck-by, electrocution, and caught-in between during construction of the Croton Water Treatment Facility Project, Bronx, New York. The project involves the construction of a cast-in-place concrete building, steel-access platforms, fabrication and installation of process mechanical equipment and piping system. The Croton Water Treatment Facility is set to be one of the main facilities to supply 10 percent New York City's drinking water. Upon completion, the Croton Water Filtration will have the capacity to treat 1.2 million cubic meters of water per day.

Success Impact:

Reduced Injury and Illness Rates - Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) and Days Away, Restricted, and Transferred (DART) Rate

With nearly two million man-hours worked to date, the OSP has achieved a Total Case Incident Rate (TCIR) of 3.19, which is approximately 46 percent below the national average for Heavy Construction (NAICS Code 23493). The OSP has also achieved a Total Days Away from Restricted work activity or job Transfer (DART) rate of 0.30 which is approximately 89 percent below the national average for Heavy Construction (NAIACS Code 23493).

The OSP has established a safe working environment with initiatives such as: a six foot fall rule and 100 percent fall protection for all on site; crane signaling certification; implementing a stretch; flex morning exercise program and 1,000 hours per month dedicated to “Safety Module and Competent Person Training.” The OSP is enjoying a newly forged working relationship between government, industry employers, labor, and trade associations.

In addition, a mandatory glove policy was implemented. By introducing the benefits of Kevlar protection, hand injuries were reduced by nearly 50 percent.

Partnership Objectives:

Some of the goals of the OSP include: a project DART rate that is 25 percent less than the national Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) average; encouraging local construction subcontractors involved in the project to improve their safety and health performance; and fostering a sustainable working relationship between government and industry. The project is scheduled to be completed in April, 2012.

Origin: Region II, Tarrytown Area Office

Partners: OSHA Region 2 Tarrytown Area Office, Skanska Tully Joint Venture, The New York City Department of Environmental Protection, The General Contractors Association of New York, Inc. and the New York State Department of Labor - Division of Safety and Health On-site Consultation Program.

Partnership Signed: June 5, 2008

Industry: Heavy Construction (SIC 1629; NAICS 23493)

Employees: 1,100

Employers: 8

Source: CAS Tom McCarthy, Tarrytown Area Office