MIOSHA in Safety Partnership at GVSU Construction Project
The partners will work to ensure safety through several key elements, including 100 percent fall protection over 6 feet; 100 percent personal protective equipment, including hard hats, eye protection, and high-visibility outer clothing; and ensuring all crane operators are certified.
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Pioneer Construction, unions, and others signed a formal partnership Nov. 7 to work toward the goal of zero worker injuries and accidents during construction of the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and Spectrum Health - Michigan Street Development project in Grand Rapids.
"MIOSHA is pleased to once again partner with Pioneer Construction on a GVSU project," said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. "Their commitment sends a strong message that providing a safe and healthy work environment is the right thing to do to protect workers and it is a sound business decision."
Pioneer Construction is the general contractor for the $57.5 million project, which consists of 193,000 square feet of subterranean parking, student activity, library, classroom, office, and medical simulation laboratories. It will connect to the existing GVSU Center for Health Sciences. The project began in March 2018 with a construction completion date of March 2021 and building occupancy in May 2021.
Partnering subcontractors include Allied Electric Inc., Andy J Egan Co., Architectural Glass & Metals, Arrow Roofing & Supply Inc., Bouma Corp., Brigade Fire Protection, Calumet Building Group, DC Byers, DHE Plumbing, Feyen Zylstra, FTC&H, Godwin Plumbing, Grand River Construction Inc., H&H Painting Co. Inc., Hardman Construction, Integrated Exteriors, Kamminga and Roodvoets, Inc., Kent Companies, Material Testing Consultants, Nicholson Construction Company, Otis Elevator, RAM Construction Company, S.A. Morman, Schindler Elevator, Specialized Demolition, Inc., Specialty Metal Fabricators, Straight Line Fence, Total Fire Protection, Traffic and Safety Control Systems, Twin Lakes Nursery, Universal Sign, Inc., Valley City Sign, Van Dam Iron Works, and Van Dellen Steel.
Partnering unions include International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 85, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters & Millwrights Local 100, Construction Laborers' Local Union 355, and Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons International Union Local 514.
Supporting partners include Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors, GVSU, and Spectrum Health.
MIOSHA's news release said the partners will implement common efforts to ensure safety through these key elements:
- Adherence to all safety policies, procedures, and MIOSHA standards
- One hundred percent fall protection over 6 feet
- One hundred percent personal protective equipment, including hard hats, eye protection, and high-visibility outer clothing
- All crane operators will be certified.
- Mandatory attendance to a project safety orientation
- Pre-task analyses to be completed to identify hazards
The partnership does not preclude MIOSHA from enforcement activities including responding to complaints, fatalities, or serious accidents.