Pact Aims for High Level of Safety in Skyscraper Repair Project
OSHA and Georgia Tech's On-Site Consultative Service formed a new partnership with Skanska USA in Atlanta, saying together they will ensure the highest level of worker safety and health during the replacement of all 6,350 windows in the 73-story downtown Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel.
"We are committed to raising safety and health awareness, and hazard recognition among employers and their employees throughout Georgia, particularly with the state's non-English speaking workforce," said Andre Richards, OSHA's Atlanta-West area director. "The primary goals of this agreement are to reduce worker injuries and illnesses, and eliminate fatalities during this major construction project."
The window replacement project is the result of damage the skyscraper sustained by a tornado in March 2008. The building was designed by was designed by John Portman in 1976 and is topped by the tri-level, revolving Sun Dial Restaurant Bar & View at 723 feet.
The partnership, signed Feb. 3 at the site, will focus on increasing the number of construction companies with effective safety and health management systems and incident-prevention programs. It also will work to increase the number of workers who receive effective safety and health training. The agreement requires participating employers to train non-English speaking employees in workplace safety and health.