Region 5 News Release: 11-398-CHI
April 5, 2011
Contact: Scott Allen Rhonda Burke
Phone: 312-353-6976 312-353-4807
E-mail: allen.scott@dol.gov burke.rhonda@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA establishes safety partnership
with Holder Construction for DuPont project in Elk Grove Village, Ill.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has established a partnership with Holder Construction Co. to promote effective safety and health programs during phase two of the DuPont CH1 Construction Project in Elk Grove Village. Holder Construction, which is headquartered in Atlanta, is the lead contractor for the DuPont CH1 Project and also partnered with OSHA in 2007 for the first phase of the project.

"This partnership reflects our mutual recognition of the importance of construction workers' safety and health," said Diane Turek, OSHA's area director in Des Plaines. "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."

The $170 million DuPont project will convert a vacant 250,000-square-foot manufacturing building into a computer data center. Approximately 12 subcontractors with 300-400 employees will work at the site throughout the duration of the project, which is expected to take nine to 12 months. All contractors and subcontractors on the project will be considered partners and will have comprehensive, site-specific written safety and health programs.

The voluntary partnership agreement is focused on identifying and controlling safety hazards, improving safety and health programs, promoting a cooperative relationship between labor and management, and encouraging employee participation in achieving a safe and healthful workplace. It aims to meet these goals 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.