US Department of Labor's OSHA partners with general contractor VCC to help protect workers during Arkansas State University construction project

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The health and safety of workers during the construction of Arkansas State University's student activity center in Jonesboro is the goal of a new strategic partnership formed today between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and general contractor VCC LLC.

"The strategic partnership between VCC and OSHA affirms a shared commitment toward providing a safe work environment during the project's construction," said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA's area director in Little Rock. "This agreement will help to ensure that goal is accomplished."

Little Rock-based VCC, with seven offices nationwide, employs about 270 workers, and 100 of those employees are connected to the university's activity center construction project. OSHA and VCC will work to reduce serious workplace injuries and illnesses, increase the number of safety and health programs among contractors and subcontractors and build a relationship focused on preventing work-related fatalities.

OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program helps encourage, assist and recognize the effort of partners to eliminate serious workplace hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health. Most strategic partnerships seek to have a broad impact by building cooperative relationships with groups of employers and workers. These partnerships are voluntary relationships among OSHA, employers, worker representatives and others, such as trade unions, trade and professional associations, universities and other government agencies. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/partnerships/index.html.

Employers and employees with questions about this and other OSHA cooperative programs can call OSHA's Little Rock Area Office at 501-224-1841.

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. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.