Region 5 News Release: 11-330-CHI
March 17, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-6976
E-mail: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA establishes safety partnership
for Evergreen Park's Little Company of Mary hospital addition

EVERGREEN PARK, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established a partnership with Power Construction Co. LLC and the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters to address hazards in the construction industry, and to promote effective safety and health programs during the construction of the Little Company of Mary West Pavilion project, an eight-story addition to the current Evergreen Park hospital.

"This partnership reflects our mutual recognition of the importance we place on construction workers' safety and health," said Gary Anderson, OSHA's area director in Calumet City. "We want to ensure that all construction companies are prepared to effectively control the workplace hazards their employees may encounter. Partnerships such as this one help develop effective safety programs, and improve open and continuous communications among OSHA, employers and workers."

Power Construction LLC is the lead contractor for the Little Company of Mary West Pavilion project. The new 270,000 square foot building includes a central plant and elevated pedestrian walkways. The partnership is focused on identifying and controlling safety hazards, improving safety and health programs, implementing fall protection policies; and providing a safe and healthful environment through increased training, implementation of best work practices, and compliance with applicable OSHA standards and regulations.

Through its Strategic Partnership Program, OSHA partners with employers, workers, professional and trade associations, labor organizations and other interested stakeholders to establish specific goals, strategies and performance measures to improve worker safety and health. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/partnerships/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.