Miron Construction Co., Building Trades, Contractors and MIOSHA Sign Partnership to Protect Workers on Northern Michigan University Jamrich Hall Project

Contact: Melanie Brown 517-373-9280

Agency: Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration

"We're honored today to recognize the exemplary leadership of Miron Construction Company and their commitment to worker safety and health on this significant project at Northern Michigan University," said LARA Deputy Director Stephanie Comai. "Your commitment sends a strong message that providing a safe and healthy work environment is a sound business decision."

Miron Construction Co. is the construction manager for the new NMU Jamrich Hall project in Marquette.  The 3-story, 130,000 square foot education building will house lecture halls, classrooms and faculty offices, replacing the existing Jamrich Hall which was built in the 1950's.  The facility will consist of steel frame construction with masonry back-up, brick veneer and metal panel accents; curtain wall systems will complete the exterior finish. Interior construction is a combination of masonry and steel stud partition walls. Completion of the project is scheduled for July 2014.

Signing partners included: David Voss, President and Owner, Miron Construction Co.; Mike Thibault, Business Representative, Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council for the Upper Peninsula; and Martha Yoder, Director, MIOSHA. Also signing were the subcontractors and building trades unions working on the project.

Partnerships are an important emphasis in MIOSHA's Strategic Plan to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative relationships with groups, including trade associations, labor organizations, and employers. Partnerships move away from traditional enforcement methods and embrace collaborative agreements. 

The Michigan Building Trades Council and its affiliate unions, and the Upper Peninsula Construction Council are supportive of this partnership.  The partnering unions include: International Association of Bridge, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local #8, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights Local #1510, International Union of Operating Engineers, Operating Engineers Local #324, Upper Peninsula Plumbers, Pipefitters and HVAC Local #111 and the Laborer's Local #1329.

The Partnering Employers include: Associated Constructors, Gundlach Champion Inc., Dressler Mechanical Inc., JP Electric Professionals, Otis Elevator Company, and Payne and Dolan Inc.

The "Site Specific Risk Control Program" has been established for the NMU Jamrich Hall Project to raise awareness and promote safety for all personnel employed in the construction project. Miron Construction Co., the partnering trade unions and subcontractors endorse the ultimate goal of ZERO INJURIES on this project.

Recognizing that engineering techniques alone are not enough to ensure that exposure to hazards is controlled; the partnering employers will implement common safety goals to assure safety through these elements:

• Adherence to All Safety Policies, procedures, and MIOSHA standards.
• 100% fall protection over 6 feet, including steel erection and roof work. 
• 100% Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including hard hats, eye protection - prescription eye wear with side shields or ANSI Z-87.1 protective safety glasses with built in side shields and appropriate work footwear. We will encourage the use of appropriate gloves, and mandate high visibility jacket/vest/outerwear to be worn while mobile construction equipment is in operation. High Visibility clothing will NOT be required once interior work commences.
• Mandatory attendance to a project safety orientation. This includes a project-specific safety presentation/orientation, filling out and signing a written acknowledgement of understanding and receiving a project-specific numbered hard hat sticker upon completion of the session.
• All extension cords, power tools or other electrical devices will be plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) adapter or GFCI protected outlet.
• All crane operators will be Certified Crane Operators (CCO) as recognized by National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) and other recognized certification agencies. 
• Mandatory post-accident substance abuse testing.
• Pre-Task Planning sheets are to be completed and submitted to Miron Construction Company, Inc. prior to each shift and prior to the beginning of critical work. These will be displayed in the Miron field office trailer.
• Pre-Shift equipment inspection sheets are to be completed and submitted to Miron Construction Company, Inc. prior to each shift or be immediately available for review on site.
• Contractors shall provide a Competent and/or Qualified Person for work operations as identified by a MIOSHA standards and/or Miron Construction Company, Inc.

"The MIOSHA program is dedicated to working with employers to find innovative ways to enhance workplace safety and health," said Martha Yoder, MIOSHA Director. "Through partnerships, MIOSHA can offer employers a voluntary, cooperative relationship to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of safety and health."

The partnership does not preclude MIOSHA from enforcing its mission of addressing complaints, fatalities, or serious accidents, nor does it infringe on the rights of employees to report workplace hazards.

Miron Construction Company www.miron-construction.com is recognized as one of the premier builders in the Midwest. Since 1918, Miron has built its reputation on providing clients with quality general construction regardless of project size, whether you need a new $100 million facility or a small project within a short timeframe.

For more information about MIOSHA, please visit www.michigan.gov/miosha

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For more information about LARA, please visit www.michigan.gov/lara

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