Region 5 News Release: 10-1550-CHI
Jan. 13, 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, contractor, others establish safety
partnership for construction of Hanover Park, Ill., police headquarters

HANOVER PARK, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established a partnership with Leopardo Construction Cos., Illinois Onsite Safety and Health Consultation, the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters and the city of Hanover Park to address hazards in the construction industry, and to promote effective safety and health programs during the construction of the Hanover Park Police Headquarters project.

"This partnership reflects our mutual recognition of the importance we place on construction workers' safety and health," said Kathy Webb, OSHA's area director in North Aurora, Ill. "We want to ensure 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."

Leopardo is the lead contractor for the Hanover Park Police Headquarters construction project. The partnership is focused on identifying and controlling safety hazards, improving safety and health programs, and providing a safe and healthful environment through increased training, implementation of best work practices, and compliance with applicable OSHA standards and regulations.

The OSHA Strategic Partnership Program provides the opportunity for OSHA to partner with employers, workers, professional and trade associations, labor organizations and other interested stakeholders. OSHA strategic partnerships are formalized through unique agreements designed to encourage, assist and recognize partner efforts to eliminate serious hazards, and achieve model workplace safety and health practices. Each OSHA strategic partnership establishes specific goals, strategies and performance measures to improve worker safety and health. OSHA strategic partnership models include those focused on improving safety and health in major corporations and government agencies, at large construction projects and for entire industries. The program is available to private sector industries and government agencies in locales where OSHA has jurisdiction. For more information on this program and other cooperative OSHA programs, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_assistance/index_programs.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 assure 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.

###

U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audiotape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America¿s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit http://www.dol.gov/compliance.