Region 10 News Release: 11-897-SEA (11-192)
Aug. 29, 2011
Contact: Jeannine Lupton
Phone: 206-553-7620
Email: lupton.jeannine@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA recognizes Bechtel National Inc.
at Ft. Greely, Alaska, as workplace safety and health 'star'

SEATTLE – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recognized the employees and management of Bechtel National Inc.'s Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Project at Fort Greely in Alaska for excellence in its employee safety and health program. The work site has been designated a "star," the highest honor in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs.

Contractor Bechtel National Inc. employs approximately 185 construction workers and is building a missile facility. The site is owned by the U.S. Department of Defense, and The Boeing Co. is the operations contractor. The project involves site grading, underground piping, electrical power distribution, concrete foundation, building placements and steel erection.

"This contractor has demonstrated that, even in heavy construction, a safety and health program supported by management and embraced by employees pays significant dividends in terms of fewer injuries and illnesses," said Dean Ikeda, OSHA's regional administrator in Seattle.

The Voluntary Protection Programs recognize private and federal work sites with effective safety and health management systems that have maintained injury and illness rates below national Bureau of Labor Statistics averages. Management, labor and OSHA work cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses through a system focused on hazard prevention and control, work site analysis and training. Union support is required for applicant work sites where employees are represented by a bargaining unit. Participating work sites are exempt from OSHA programmed inspections while they maintain their VPP status. For more information, contact OSHA's regional office in Seattle at 206-553-7620 or visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/index.html.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.