Pioneer Construction And MIOSHA Sign Partnership To Protect Workers On The Grand Valley State University And Spectrum Health - Michigan Street Development Project

Pioneer Construction, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), unions, and others, recently signed a formal partnership with the goal of zero worker injuries and accidents during construction of the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and Spectrum Health - Michigan Street Development project in Grand Rapids.

“MIOSHA is pleased to once again partner with Pioneer Construction on a GVSU project,” said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. “Their commitment sends a strong message that providing a safe and healthy work environment is the right thing to do to protect workers and it is a sound business decision."

Pioneer Construction is the general contractor for the $57.5 million GVSU and Spectrum Health - Michigan Street Development project. The project consists of 193,000 square feet of subterranean parking (1,200-car facility), student activity, library, classroom, office and medical simulation laboratories. There will be a physical building connection to the existing GVSU Center for Health Sciences. The project began in March 2018 with a construction completion date of March 2021 and building occupancy in May 2021.

Partnerships are an important emphasis in MIOSHA's Strategic Plan to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative relationships with groups, including trade associations, labor organizations, and employers. Partnerships move away from traditional enforcement methods and embrace collaborative agreements. All partners agree to commit leadership, time and resources toward providing a workplace that is free of recognized hazards by means of an effective safety management system.

Partnering employers (subcontractors) include: Allied Electric Inc., Andy J Egan Co., Architectural Glass & Metals, Arrow Roofing & Supply Inc., Bouma Corp., Brigade Fire Protection, Calumet Building Group, DC Byers, DHE Plumbing, Feyen Zylstra, FTC&H, Godwin Plumbing, Grand River Construction Inc., H&H Painting Co. Inc., Hardman Construction, Integrated Exteriors, Kamminga and Roodvoets, Inc., Kent Companies, Material Testing Consultants, Nicholson Construction Company, Otis Elevator, RAM Construction Company, S.A. Morman, Schindler Elevator, Specialized Demolition, Inc., Specialty Metal Fabricators, Straight Line Fence, Total Fire Protection, Traffic and Safety Control Systems, Twin Lakes Nursery, Universal Sign, Inc., Valley City Sign, Van Dam Iron Works, and Van Dellen Steel.

Partnering unions include: International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 85, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights Local 100, Construction Laborers’ Local Union 355, and Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Union Local 514.

Supporting partners include: Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Associated General Contractors (AGC), GVSU, and Spectrum Health.

Recognizing that engineering techniques alone are not enough to ensure that exposure to hazards are controlled, the partners will implement common efforts to ensure safety through the following key elements:

• Adherence to all safety policies, procedures, and MIOSHA standards.
• One hundred percent fall protection over six feet.
• One hundred percent personal protective equipment including hard hats, eye protection and high-visibility outer clothing.
• All crane operators will be certified.
• Mandatory attendance to a project safety orientation.
• Pre-Task Analyses are to be completed to identify hazards.

The partnership does not preclude MIOSHA from enforcement activities including responding to complaints, fatalities, or serious accidents, nor does it infringe on the rights of employees to report workplace hazards.

“Pioneer Construction is pleased to be joining MIOSHA, Grand Valley State University and Spectrum Health on another partnership project,” said Smith. “Pioneer has been participating in the MIOSHA Partnership program since 2011, which raises the bar for construction safety practices and cultivates a safety conscious culture among Pioneer’s employees, subcontractors, suppliers, and clients.”