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McCormick Place Expansion Proceeds
The U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has entered into a safe workplace partnership with key contractors, labor
associations and other involved in the huge expansion planned for McCormick Place
over the next three years.
OSHA’s area office in Calumet City signed an agreement with McCormick West
Constructors, LLC, the project’s general contractor, Chicago and Cook
County Building and Construction Trades Councils, the Chicago Regional Council
of Carpenters,
and Aon Insurance to form a safety and health partnership for the duration
of the project, expected to run through 2008.
The McCormick Place West expansion project will add approximately 500,000
square feet of exhibit space and 200,000 square feet of meeting space in addition
to other modifications to the huge McCormick Place Complex, which is currently
the
nation’s largest convention center.
“This project will expand OSHA’s ability to work with the companies
involved to promote safety programs, management systems and work methods utilizing
the latest technologies and safest available methods,” said OSHA Area
Director Gary Anderson, Calumet City, IL.
Under the terms of the partnership, contractors must meet stringent safety
guidelines that include: maintaining a site-specific safety and health program
that ensures
employee involvement; providing all new employees a comprehensive safety orientation;
and providing training for employees on hazards and regulations applicable
to their work, prior to commencing work; as well as weekly “tool box
talks.”
The agreement, which also requires special emphasis on crane safety, will
be evaluated periodically to determine if modifications are needed and to monitor
the status of on-site safety programs.
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