May 6, 2022

US Department of Labor, stakeholders sign partnership to train, protect
workers from construction hazards at Wisconsin Center Expansion project

MILWAUKEE – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Wisconsin On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, Gilbane Building Co., C.D. Smith Construction and labor unions are partnering to protect worker safety and health at the Wisconsin Center Expansion project in Milwaukee.

The partnership seeks to prevent workplace fatalities, control or eliminate serious workplace hazards and establish a foundation on which an effective safety and health program exists during construction of the 600,000-square-foot, six-story project. Partners will also focus on educating employees and employers about workers' rights and employers' responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

“This partnership will help implement and audit safe work practices to protect everyone working at the site,” said OSHA Area Director Christine Zortman in Milwaukee. “Workplace safety demands prior planning, the right equipment and workers who are fully trained on hazards and safety precautions.”

Gilbane Building Co. will implement a strategic safety and health system patterned after OSHA's Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs in Construction, including having all contractors on-site perform daily audits and monthly comprehensive audits. Before any task begins, workers must receive a site-specific construction safety orientation.

Learn more about OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program.

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Media Contacts:

Scott Allen, 312-353-4727, allen.scott@dol.gov
Rhonda Burke, 312-353-4807, burke.rhonda@dol.gov

Release Number: 22-832-CHI

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department's Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).