OSHA, Manhattan Construction Bahamas Ltd. Partner on Safety Project

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a safety partnership with Manhattan Construction Bahamas Limited (MCBL) to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health at the Yacht Haven USVI (U.S. Virgin Islands) construction project.

“This partnership, OSHA’s first on St. Thomas, is an example of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao’s commitment to find cooperative ways to improve health and safety for all workers,” said Patricia Clark, OSHA’s regional administrator. “Partnerships like this one allow OSHA to work cooperatively with employers and employees who make every effort to eliminate hazards and reduce injuries.”

The agreement seeks to reduce the number of injuries and illnesses by five percent each year, particularly those related to falls, electrocutions, or workers being struck-by or caught in-between objects.

Other goals include decreasing workers’ compensation costs; reducing safety and health violations at MBCL projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands; improving safety and health programs; and achieving a higher level of employee safety and health training throughout the project.

MCBL, a subsidiary of Manhattan Construction Co., is the construction manager for the 169,000 square-foot Yacht Haven USVI project, a combination of retail, office lease area and residential condominiums. It is anticipated that MCBL and approximately 25 subcontractors will employ about 225 trade employees on this project at its peak.

“We have a common goal that, with proper training and supervision, there is no reason for employees to be hurt while working,” said Steve Gray, safety director for MCBL. “This partnership is both an opportunity and a challenge to protect and enhance workers’ safety and health and we are prepared to enforce it at all our projects.”