OSHA signs safety and health partnership for employees renovating Kirner-Johnson Building

Enhanced safety and health protections for more than 500 employees constructing the Kirner-Johnson Addition and Renovation Project at Hamilton College in Clinton, is the goal of a newly signed partnership agreement among: the U.S. Dept. of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); the project's general contractor, Barr & Barr Inc.; the college; numerous subcontractors and the NYS Dept. of Labor On-Site Consultation Program. Other goals include eliminating incidents involving the four major causes of construction injuries - falls, electrical hazards, being struck by equipment and objects and being caught in or between materials. "This partnership is the second for OSHA and Barr & Barr," said Christopher Adams, OSHA's area director. "Based on the success of the first, we are confident that a positive safety culture among employers and employees during the construction process will result in reduced costs, increased productivity and protection of employees from injuries and illnesses." The new partnership was signed by OSHA's Louis Ricca, deputy regional director, and Adams for Barr & Barr Inc.: VPs Thomas Barr and Robert DiPaolo, project manager James Clavin, superintendent William Gibson and safety director James Manoli; associate director of Hamilton College Physical Plant William Huggins; Mark Sliker for the NYS Dept. of Labor's On-site Consultation Program and more than 15 subcontractors with employees on the site. OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program is part of the U.S. Labor secretary Elaine Chao's ongoing efforts to improve the health and safety of employees through cooperative relationships with trade associations, labor organizations, employers and employees.