US Department Of Labor Signs Partnership To Promote Construction Safety During Renovation Of St. Louis' Historic Butler Brothers Building

Partnership aims to protect 1,000 workers on job site

Recognizing the importance of planning, preparing and training for safety on the job site, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, PARIC Corp., local labor unions and project developer Oliver Street Partners LLC have signed a strategic partnership to promote worker safety and health during the historic renovation of the Butler Brothers Building project in downtown St. Louis.

PARIC is the project’s general contractor. The St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council, the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council and the Missouri Kansas Laborers District Council are also participating in the partnership.

The partnership seeks to develop effective safety and health management systems during construction and ensure they apply to contractors and employees working on the job. The project converts a vacant 10-story building into 385 apartments with interior parking spaces and retail. Approximately 30 subcontractors and 1,000 employees are expected to work on this project.

“This partnership with PARIC Corp., Oliver Street Partners and local trade unions will reinforce the importance of safe work practices and help protect more than 1,000 workers on-site,” said OSHA Area Director Bill McDonald in St. Louis. “Leadership and mentoring by companies like PARIC Corp. on large construction projects can have a significant influence on creating a culture where all employers on the job work safely.”

As part of OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program, the partnership will focus on the top four causes of fatalities in construction – falls, struck-by equipment or machinery, electrocution, and caught-in-between equipment or materials. The goal is to minimize the occurrence of injuries and illnesses on the project and experience zero fatalities.

The partners will appoint an on-site safety representative, conduct daily audits and weekly trainings to exchange information on hazards identified, best practices, and promote worker participation in safety and health programs.