The joint venture of Skanska USA, a member of multiple AGC chapters, and Shoemaker Construction Co., a Philadelphia Builders Chapter member, and the Philadelphia Area Office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have announced a strategic partnership during construction of Fashion Outlets Philadelphia. OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program helps encourage, assist and recognize voluntary partner efforts to eliminate serious workplace hazards and aligns with Skanska’s Injury Free Environment (IFE) initiative. IFE is a holistic approach to safety, where everyone has the responsibility to be personally involved in preventing harm to themselves, as well as to their colleagues.

 

A signing ceremony was held May 4 to coincide with Safety Week, a week-long celebration of the construction industry’s ongoing commitment to an injury free workplace.

 

"Partnerships such as the one with Shoemaker Skanska allow all parties to work towards the common goal of reducing partner injury, illness, and fatality rates across the country," said Theresa Downs, director of OSHA’s Philadelphia Area Office. "We are thrilled to enter this partnership for the safety and health of workers at one of the largest active jobsites in Philadelphia."  

 

Under this agreement, OSHA will evaluate the Fashion Outlets Philadelphia project site health and safety plan to determine whether effective safety and health management systems are in place; designate an OSHA compliance assistance specialist to serve as a resource and liaison person for the partnership; meet with Shoemaker Skanska quarterly to review project safety performance; provide timely responses to requests for information; and provide information on OSHA training resources.

 

Skanska implemented its Injury Free Environment initiative to create a mindset intolerant of any frequency or severity of incident or injury.  The Injury-Free Environment extends well beyond the jobsite, including the use of appropriate precautions while doing work at home—such as positioning a ladder correctly and carefully.

 

"Skanska is committed to implementing and fostering an Injury Free Environment throughout our entire organization; no injury is acceptable and working safely is not optional," said Ed Szwarc, executive vice president and general manager of Skanska. "Together with Shoemaker and OSHA we stand in mutual commitment to ensure the Fashion Outlets Philadelphia worksite is the gold standard for worker health and safety."

 

"Shoemaker prides itself on high quality and the highest safety standards on our projects and we continue to find ways to not only maintain but improve the safety practices we implement on our jobsites to maintain that reputation," said Maura Hesdon, general manager of Shoemaker. "OSHA partnerships have reaped positive effects on past Shoemaker projects and we look forward to strengthening that relationship of incident prevention with OSHA on Fashion Outlets Philadelphia."

 

Owned and operated by Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) and Macerich, Fashion Outlets Philadelphia spans three city blocks and is a key piece of PREIT and Macerich’s revitalization of East Market Street. The approximately 1,400,000-sq-ft interior and exterior renovation is currently underway and includes selective structural demolition; new structural and architectural construction; modifications and additions to the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection systems; replacement of all common area floor finishes, ceilings and lighting, neutral columns and storefront bulkheads and related core and shell work. The project is slated to open in 2018.

 

Skanska’s building experience in the Philadelphia/New Jersey/Delaware region includes such projects as the Nicholas and Athena Karabots Pavilion Addition at the Franklin Institute, University of Delaware East Campus Residence Hall, SugarHouse Casino, Inspira Healthcare Network, Christiana Care Health Systems Women and Children’s Health Building, American Airlines Terminal F expansion and baggage claim at Philadelphia International Airport, and the Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children.

 

Shoemaker’s recent Philadelphia area projects include Amtrak’s 30th Street Station West Plaza Replacement, Villanova University’s SAC Garage Overbuild Expansion, Temple University Hospital’s Ontario Garage Replacement, Hope Partnership for Education’s Quint Learning Center, 801 Market St. Masonry Preservation, Chestnut Hill College’s Clement Hall Window Replacement, Philadelphia Housing Authority Design Build Headquarters at Ridge Avenue, and Philadelphia Housing Authority Design Build North Central Phase Two.