A new Labor Department partnership aims to protect workers at the Obama Presidential Center construction site. | Morguefile
Stakeholders in the Department of Labor are set to sign a partnership agreement designed to train and protect workers within the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago to avoid construction hazards.
The department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, in addition to other participants, plan to form a partnership aimed at enhancing workplace safety for employees currently building the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side, according to a news release from the Department of Labor.
“OSHA’s partnership aims to protect the thousands of workers bringing the Obama Presidential Center to reality. Compliance and cooperation efforts by all parties on this project will maintain a safe and healthy work environment," said James Martineck, director of Occupational Safety and Health Administration Chicago South, according to the news release.
Alongside OSHA, the partnership also includes Lakeside Alliance, which is tasked with implementing a safety paradigm designed to follow OSHA’s recommended practices, according to the release.
“The Lakeside Alliance will work with program partners to develop an extraordinary team culture creating a comprehensive safety and health management system that demonstrates a high standard of care for each other," said Michael Blackburn, Lakeside Alliance’s safety representative, according to the release. "This inclusive approach identifies and mitigates risks, engages those closest to the risk, provides training to increase capabilities, and integrates a risk analysis observation process with feedback to coach, support, and recognize safe practices.”
Under the new partnership, construction on the Obama Center will require that all on-site contractors perform daily audits regarding the work environment. Also, all employees will receive a site-specific construction safety orientation that will describe safety, health issues and work procedures, while bilingual safety and health instructors will be available to provide training to all ESL workers, according to the release.
