Region 5 News Release: 13-1504-CHI
July 31, 2013
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976
Email: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

OSHA establishes partnership with Greenfire/Gilbane, Milwaukee Building &
Construction Trades Council to protect workers on Potawatomi Hotel project

MILWAUKEE – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established a strategic partnership with Greenfire/Gilbane and the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, to protect workers during the Potawatomi Hotel construction project in Milwaukee.

"This voluntary strategic partnership is focused on creating a working relationship to control or eliminate serious workplace construction hazards and establish a foundation for the development of effective safety and health programs," said Christine Zortman, OSHA's area director in Milwaukee. "It aims to meet these goals through increased training, implementation of best work practices and compliance with applicable OSHA standards and regulations."

The 371,000-square-foot hotel, a $47 million project, will be constructed adjacent to the Potawatomi Bingo Casino. Greenfire Management Services, Gilbane Building Co., the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council and subcontractors are expected to complete the project in the summer of 2014. It is anticipated that, at the peak of construction, the project will employ 250 tradesmen on site and add 230 permanent jobs.

Safety goals will focus on maintaining lost-time injury and illnesses at a rate 25 percent below the national industry average; increasing the number of workers, employers and supervisors who have completed relevant safety training; and increasing awareness of ladder hazards and limiting the kind of work being performed from ladders. Additionally, the partnership participants will emphasize training, awareness and safety procedures involving powered industrial vehicles and falls in construction. Contractors with five or more workers will have a safety designee assigned who possesses a valid OSHA 30-hour training card, and those with less than five workers will, at a minimum, have a safety designee with a valid OSHA 10-hour training card. Other safety and health initiatives will include a daily stretch and flex program, daily job hazard analysis and safety task assignment reviews.

The following parties working at the site have agreed to participate in the partnership agreement: Boilermakers Local 107; Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Local 8; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494; Elevator Constructors Local 15; Heat and Frost Insulators Local 19; Ironworkers Local 8; Laborers Local 113; Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters-North Region; Operating Engineers Local 139; Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 599; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 7; Plumbing and Steamfitters Local 75; Roofers Local 65; Sheet Metal Workers Local 18; Sprinkler Fitters Local 183; Steamfitters Local 601; Teamsters Local 200; and Tile & Terrazzo Layers Local 5.

Through its Strategic Partnership Program, OSHA develops alliances 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, or contact the agency's Milwaukee Area Office at 414-297-3315.

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.