Oct. 13, 2017

ERIE, PA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Pittsburgh-based P.J. Dick Corp. have established a strategic partnership to promote workplace safety and educate workers on construction hazards during construction of a new office building in Erie.

The project, which will build a seven-floor, 340,000-square-foot office building on French Street, will be occupied by Erie Insurance. It is expected to be completed by spring 2020.

“Our focus is to establish a foundation for the development of an effective safety and health program at the site,” said OSHA Area Director Brendan Claybaugh, in Erie.

The partnership seeks to reduce annual injury and illness rates, control hazards by implementing an effective safety and health management system for the project’s contractors, conduct self-inspections, and train contractors on hazard identification techniques, and foster a working relationship with OSHA. It also will support safety and health campaigns and other initiatives.

Through its Strategic Partnership Program (SPP), OSHA works with employers, employees, professional and trade associations, labor organizations, and other interested stakeholders to establish specific goals, strategies, and performance measures to improve worker safety and health. Visit the OSHA site for more information on the SPP.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance.