Region 6 News Release: 13-273-DAL
March 14, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Todd Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA partners with VCC to promote
construction safety during Bass Pro Shop project in Little Rock, Ark.
Reducing work-related injuries and fatalities is top priority

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Better health and safety for construction workers during the Bass Pro Shop project in Little Rock is the goal of a new partnership formed today between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and VCC LLC.

"This partnership affirms a shared commitment toward providing a safer work environment on this project," said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA's area director in Little Rock. "This agreement will help to ensure that goal is accomplished."

The 120,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shop project is located at the Otter Creek exit off Interstate 30 and is scheduled to open in December.

Little Rock-based VCC began operations in 1987 with three workers. Today, VCC has seven offices located nationwide and one in South America. It has grown to a $450 million construction company employing 270 workers.

OSHA and VCC will work together to reduce serious workplace injuries and illnesses at the Bass Pro Shops project, increase the number of safety and health programs among contractors and subcontractors and build a relationship focused on preventing work-related fatalities.

OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program helps encourage, assist and recognize the effort of partners to eliminate serious workplace hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health. Most strategic partnerships seek to have a broad impact by building cooperative relationships with groups of employers and workers. These partnerships are voluntary relationships among OSHA, employers, worker representatives and others, such as trade unions, trade and professional associations, universities and other government agencies. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/partnerships/index.html.

Employers and employees with questions about this and other OSHA partnerships may call OSHA's Little Rock Area Office at 501-224-1841 or visit OSHA's Web site at https://www.osha.gov/index.html and click on "Cooperative Programs".

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 or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-893-7828 or TTY 202-893-7755.