IL OSHA, Federal & State Stakeholders Partner to Protect Workers from Hazards During Construction of Obama Presidential Center

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Labor's (IDOL) Occupational Safety and Health Consultation Program is joining the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Lakeside Alliance and other partners to ensure the safe construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago's Jackson Park.

The Lakeside Alliance is a joint venture among Brown & Momen, Inc., Powers & Sons Construction Co., Safeway Construction Co., Turner Construction Co. and UJAMAA Construction Inc.

Illinois OSHA will oversee the entire project, working with the primary contractors and subcontractors on the job site to provide guidance with respect to compliance with federal occupational safety and health standards. IL OSHA will also provide worksite training where necessary.

"Safety on any construction site is paramount, especially when the project involves thousands of workers. This partnership will help mitigate hazards by properly training those on the job," said Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik.

The health and safety program will follow the principles of OSHA's "Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs in Construction." In addition to daily audits, there will be site-specific construction safety orientation covering jobsite safety and health issues and work procedures for all employees.

All workers will receive safety training in their native tongue. This education will include explanations of worker's rights and employers' responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

This opportunity for collaboration is made possible by the OSHA Strategic Partnership Program. These agreements are designed to help similar efforts eliminate job hazards and improve workplace safety and health practices and highlight opportunities for boosting safety and health in major corporations, government agencies, at large construction projects and private sector industries.