OSHA's Strategic Partnership With Holder Construction, Georgia Tech Results In Improved Workplace Safety Conditions And Increased Involvement From Workers With Their Safety

Since 1998, the U.S. Department of Labor has maintained the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Strategic Partnership Program. More than 850 partnerships have been formed to date, covering more than 31,300 employers and 2.5 million workers nationwide - with the goal of improving safety during large construction projects.

Add to the list the 36-month partnership between OSHA, Holder Construction Co. and Georgia Tech Consultative Services for construction of the State Farm Hub in Dunwoody.

With hundreds of workers and more than 3.7 million work hours dedicated to the multi-phase project, the partnership sought to prevent injuries and illnesses. OSHA, Holder and Georgia Tech representatives worked cooperatively and collectively in providing a safety and health program and supportive resources for workers constructing three towers comprising 1.7 million-square-feet.

At completion, Holder - the project's general contractor - reported that together, the partnership helped managers and workers to achieve their goal of having the safest possible workplace.

“This extraordinary achievement underscores the value of OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program, which brought together safety experts, contractors and subcontractors, and academics to identify hazards and train workers and managers on-site on how to avoid the dangers,” said Acting OSHA Area Director for Atlanta-East Condell Eastmond. “Public-private sector partnerships focused on worker safety and health training at all levels proves that major construction projects can and should be completed safely.”

One of the challenges the project successfully addressed was the need to provide safety and health training for limited-English-proficient employees from various countries, all in their native language.

The SPP promotes and enhances workplace safety programs on major construction projects, and encourages employers to ensure contractors, subcontractors and others are aware of potential hazards and how to not fall victim to those hazards.

OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. Learn more about OSHA.