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Chapter Corner:
AGC Chapters Strive for Excellence in OSHA Challenge Pilot
Program
New three-stage approach creates
road map for chapters to improve safety and health programs
Because of AGC's leadership in safety
and health, the association became an administrator for the
Occupational Safety & Health Administration Challenge
Pilot Program. Ten AGC chapters are leading the way in the
OSHA Challenge Pilot Program by serving as challenge coordinators
and achieving safety firsts.
Participating chapters include AGC of
Ohio, AGC of St. Louis, AGC of Texas, AGC of Wisconsin, AGC
Shreveport Chapter, Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania,
Idaho AGC, Master Builders of Iowa (MBI), South Dakota Building
Chapter and Southern Illinois Builders Association.
| MASTER BUILDERS OF IOWA SAFETY
AND RISK MANAGEMENT MISSION AND VISION |
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Our mission is to serve the industry by providing our
members with quality:
> Safety services
> Loss-prevention services
> Risk-management services
> Training opportunities
> Legislative and regulatory reform
Vision
In order to execute objectives and strategies that cover
the mission, the five focus areas identified in the
mission were combined into three more manageable pieces
that create specific strategic goals and tactics. This
led to the creation of three standing teams, including:
> Education & Professional Development
> Legislative & Regulatory
> Training & Program Development
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One of these firsts was recently achieved
by a MBI member, The Weitz Company, of Des Moines. The Weitz
Company was the first constructor in the nation to complete
Stage I of the OSHA Challenge Pilot Program.
The program is a three-stage process
that contractors can use as a road map toward improving their
safety and health programs. Each participating chapter works
with one contractor to document its current safety status
and improve the firm's safety and health management system.
Upon completion of all three stages,
a contractor should have the necessary processes and procedures
in place to attain Voluntary Protection Program status, OSHA's
highest recognition for occupational safety and health. When
a construction firm gains VPP status, it is taken off OSHA's
list for regular programmed inspections and receives good-faith
considerations for reduction of penalties and citations, working
cooperatively to comply with OSHA standards and regulations.
With AGC leading the way in modeling
the benefits of a successful safety and health program, MBI
empowers its members to achieve high goals in safety and health.
Through the Challenge Pilot Program, contractor safety program
evaluations, OSHA assistance, general safety consultation,
safety audits and inspections and OSHA citation services,
MBI members are increasing worker safety and reducing OSHA
fines and penalties each year.
This solid history of commitment to health
and safety was strengthened by a new member-driven, three-year
Safety and Risk Management Strategic Plan that encourages
members to develop best practices and drives toward safety
excellence.
"The response to the strategic plan
has increased member participation in MBI safety programs.
The Weitz Company's involvement in the OSHA Challenge Pilot
Program is just one example of this new enthusiasm,"
said Scott Norvell, MBI president and CEO.
AGC will continue to lead the industry
in safety excellence by helping its members achieve award-winning
safety records.
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