Walbridge First to Receive Star Award for Construction Safety from Michigan OSHA

DETROIT, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Walbridge is set to become the first construction company in Michigan to receive the Star Award for safety and health excellence from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA).  Under the new Michigan Voluntary Protection Program for Construction (MVPPC), Walbridge is being commended for its exemplary safety program and practices at the Couzens Hall renovation project on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Susan Corbin, deputy director and chief of staff of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, and MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski are scheduled to present the Star Award to Walbridge at a ceremony beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, at Palmer Field, adjacent to Couzens Hall.  Walbridge Chairman and CEO John Rakolta, Jr. will accept the award on behalf of the company and Hank Baier, associate vice president for Facilities and Operations for the University of Michigan, will represent U-M.

The MVPP program has been in place in Michigan since 1998 for general industry.  MIOSHA recently worked with construction industry leaders to create the MVPPC.  The program recognizes the specialized work conducted by contractors and subcontractors.  To qualify for the Star Award on a fixed-base project, companies must be in business at least three years, have a history of successful partnering with MIOSHA, show a superior commitment to safety and proof of outstanding programs, and have injury and illness (I & I) rates at or below the national average in a very hazardous industry, according to MIOSHA.  

"The Star Award recognizes the highest level of achievement in the state for occupational safety and health management in construction," Kalinowski said.  "The industry plays a vital role in the state's economy and higher education is a key to Michigan's future.  Walbridge and the University of Michigan have created a partnership at Couzens Hall that demonstrates how a shared vision for safety and consistent follow-through can yield exemplary results."

In evaluating Walbridge, MIOSHA confirmed that the company had written programs and procedures in place that demonstrated a superior commitment to safety.  MIOSHA conducted a total of 62 interviews with company management, Walbridge health and safety personnel, and subcontractors and their employees.  It also conducted unscheduled inspections of subcontractors working at Couzens Hall.

Couzens Hall is undergoing major renovation of more than 150,000 square feet of housing space for 560 students.  The work includes updating plumbing, heating, ventilation, fire detection and suppression systems, adding wireless high-speed network access, and renovating bath facilities and making accessibility improvements.  The renovation of Couzens Hall will be completed in time for the fall term of 2011.

"The university is fully committed to operating safely at all times and we applaud Walbridge for its emphasis on safety," said Marina Roelofs, executive director, Architecture, Engineering and Construction at U-M.  "We value their purposeful approach and the way they hold themselves and their subcontractors accountable."

Walbridge's John Rakolta, Jr. pointed to the important contributions made by company employees and subcontractors.

"Our employees and construction partners made this happen," he said.  "This honor is the result of efforts they make every day to think about safety and to act safely.  Safety is a core value and not a part-time obligation with us."

Walbridge has been repeatedly recognized for the quality and effectiveness of its safety programs.  In March 2010, the company was awarded first place in the 2009 Associated General Contractors of America Construction Safety and Excellence Awards competition, recognizing it as best in the nation for safety in the Building Division (1 million – 4 million hours worked category.)

For additional details about the MVPPC program and its evaluation of Walbridge's safety practices, visit Walbridge news

About Walbridge

Walbridge is a privately held, top-50 construction company founded in Detroit in 1916.  The company offers construction management, design-build, engineering management, general contracting, pre-construction, program management and turnkey solution services.  It also self-performs concrete, equipment installation and facility management services.  Walbridge employs 600 professionals in offices located in North America, South America and the Middle East.  For more information, visit www.walbridge.com.

About AEC at the University of Michigan

Architecture, Engineering and Construction plans and manages the design and construction of new facilities, additions, renovations, and utility and infrastructure improvements.  By managing the design and construction of campus projects, Architecture, Engineering and Construction assures that all projects will be completed in accordance with University and State of Michigan criteria for quality design including economics of construction and operation.  For more information on the Couzens Hall project, visit: http://www.aec.bf.umich.edu/projects/CouzensHallRenovation/index.html

SOURCE Walbridge