OSHA, AGC S. Florida Chapter Partner on Construction Worker Safety

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the South Florida Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) have renewed their partnership to reduce worker injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the construction industry.

“This successful program has had a positive impact on the safety and health of Florida’s construction workers during the past three years,” said Luis Santiago, OSHA’s Fort Lauderdale area director. “The partnership allows OSHA to concentrate enforcement efforts on construction sites and contractors where they are needed most.”

Employers who are members of the Construction Health and Safety Excellence partnership (CHASE) focus on reducing the four leading causes of death at construction sites: falls, struck-by, caught in or between, and electrocutions. Participating employers must also provide adequate safety and health training to non-English speaking employees.

CHASE is based on three progressive levels of safety achievement: Red, White and Blue. Companies reach the blue level when they have demonstrated outstanding safety and health achievements at worksites, including implementation of a 100 percent fall protection policy for employees working at heights six feet or more above a lower level.

A formal partnership renewal signing ceremony was held Feb.18 in Miami Lakes, Fla.