MIOSHA and AGC of Michigan Sign Alliance to Protect Construction Workers

Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) Director Doug Kalinowski recently announced the signing of a strategic alliance with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Michigan to protect the safety and health of Michigan’s construction workers.

The construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries in Michigan. Only about four percent of Michigan’s workforce is employed in construction – however, construction fatalities account for more than 40 percent of all fatal workplace accidents.

“By combining our resources, the AGC of Michigan and MIOSHA can have a significant impact on safety and health prevention efforts at construction job sites,” said Kalinowski. “This strategic alliance will give AGC of Michigan contractors the necessary tools to protect their workers and commit to safe and healthy work practices.”

Gary Benjamin, Chairman, AGC of Michigan, and President, Gundlach Champion, Inc., and Doug Kalinowski, Director, MIOSHA program, signed the alliance at the AGC of Michigan’s annual meeting in Bay City. Since 1998, both organizations have worked jointly to expand the efforts of improving safety in the construction industry.

“When workers, subcontractors, even the public see this, it stresses the importance of construction safety and health on the project site,” said Pete Anderson, Safety Director, AGC of Michigan. “It shows commitment on the part of the project management team to achieving zero lost work time due to accidents, if not the total elimination of injuries and work related health problems.”

The key goals of the alliance include :

* Promoting enhanced awareness of worker safety and health to AGC of Michigan members;
* Promoting worker safety through education and training opportunities at the jobsite;
* Promoting increased implementation of accident prevention programs at members’ job sites;
* Promoting both regular and unscheduled MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division safety and health hazard surveys.

Contractors participating in the alliance will post a special weatherproof banner designed for construction sites that announces the MIOSHA – AGC of Michigan alliance and the contractor’s commitment to safety.

While participation by individual employers is voluntary, MIOSHA anticipates that contractors, who embrace the goals of the partnership and who strive to provide a safe and healthy workplace, will experience a decrease in workplace accidents and illnesses, and a decrease in workers’ compensation costs.

Alliances enable organizations committed to workplace safety and health to collaborate with MIOSHA to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Alliances are open to all groups, including: trade or professional associations, businesses, labor organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies.

There are many benefits to participating in an alliance with MIOSHA. Through this program, organizations will:

* Build trusting, cooperative relationships.
* Network with others committed to workplace safety and health.
* Exchange information about best practices.
* Leverage resources to maximize worker safety and health protection.

The AGC of Michigan is a full service construction trade association providing services to Michigan’s leading general contractors, construction managers, specialty contractors and related construction industry companies. In 2007 the Michigan Chapter AGC (founded in 1927) and the AGC, Greater Detroit Chapter (founded in 1916) merged to become the AGC of Michigan. The statewide organization represents more than 400 members promoting the AGC values of skill, integrity and responsibility.

For more information about forming an alliance or partnership with MIOSHA, please check our website at www.michigan.gov/mioshaor contact the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division at 517.322.1809. For more information about the AGC of Michigan, please go to www.agcmichigan.org, or call Pete Anderson at 517.371.1550.