OCTOBER 30, 2000 - Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) Director Kathy Wilbur announced today the renewal of the partnership between CIS, the Michigan Road Builders Association (MRBA), and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The three organizations officially became partners to improve worker safety and health in the road and bridge industry in 1998.

The construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries in Michigan. Only about four percent of Michigan’s workforce is employed in construction–however, construction fatalities account for more than 40 percent of all fatal workplace accidents. And road and bridge construction is the most hazardous construction activity.

"Since we first signed this partnership, there has been a tremendous increase in road construction, however, road construction fatalities have not seen a comparable increase," Wilbur said. "We truly believe our combined efforts in this landmark partnership have contributed greatly to a safer work environment for road and bridge construction workers in Michigan."

The CIS Bureau of Safety and Regulation (BSR) is responsible for administering the MIOSHA Act. Establishing partnerships with the private sector is a key MIOSHA strategy to help protect Michigan workers.

"During our second full year of the partnership, we have identified and initiated many activities that have benefitted both parties. With our ongoing open lines of communication, this will only continue to grow," said Mike Eckert, MRBA Director of Safety Services. "Ultimately however, it’s the safety of the hard working men and women in the highway construction industry who have received the greatest benefit."

The formal partnering charter has 10 goals, including to: promote worker safety through education, training, and ongoing communication; increase the use of joint forums to discuss issues which affect safety regulations in road construction; conduct joint meetings to discuss pertinent and /or urgent issues; and continually stimulate positive cultural change in both organizations to promote worker safety, to save lives, and to prevent injuries and illnesses.

"Since 1998, this formal partnership has achieved some outstanding results," said CIS Deputy Director Kalmin Smith. "One of the most significant achievements is a recent compliance directive which clarifies the requirements when employees must ride moving equipment to install and remove traffic control devices. This directive is a major tool to help protect employees during an essential, but potentially hazardous job activity."

While participation by individual employers is voluntary, CIS anticipates that contractors, who embrace the goals of the partnership and who strive to provide a safe and healthy workplace, will experience a decrease in workplace accidents and illnesses, and a decrease in workers’ compensation costs.

The partnership was signed by: Kalmin Smith, Ph.D., CIS Deputy Director; James Klett, MRBA President; Douglas Earle, BSR Director; David Zynda, MRBA President Elect; Douglas Kalinowski, BSR Deputy Director; Anthony Milo, MRBA Executive Vice President; Richard Mee, Chief, BSR Construction Safety Division; and Michael Eckert, MRBA Director of Safety Services.

The partnership signing took place during the 2^nd annual MIOSHA/MRBA partnership review meeting held this month in Lansing.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.