MN ABC and MNOSHA construction partnership

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) signed a major safety initiative in March 2006, designed to reduce the number of injuries, illnesses and fatalities at participant construction industry employers. The partnership initiative was jointly agreed upon by the Minnesota Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (MN ABC) and Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA).

• MN ABC and MNOSHA partnership agreement document

The specific goals of the partnership program are:

emphasize reduction of injuries and fatalities from the four hazards that are the leading causes of death on construction sites: falls; being struck by; being caught in or between; and electrocution;

increase the number of general and specialty contractors that implement effective safety and health programs and effective training for management, supervisors and employees;

publicly recognize contractors with exemplary safety and health programs and site-specific plans; and

promote open lines of communication between Minnesota OSHA and the construction industry in pursuit of safety.

The partnership between MNOSHA and MN ABC acknowledges the importance of providing a safe, healthful work environment in construction and seeks a working relationship that creates mutual trust and respect among all parties -- including project owners and construction workers -- involved in the construction process.

The three participant award levels of the partnership program are:

• silver -- the basic level, for applicants wanting to meet the basic minimum requirements of a safety and health program; 
• gold -- the intermediate level, for applicants desiring a more comprehensive safety and health program; and
• platinum -- the peak level, for applicants striving to be an industry leader with a very comprehensive safety and health program.