OSHA, TekSolv and American Allied Safety Council, Southwestern Illinois Building Trades Council, and Council of Owners of Construction Associates Inc. have established an alliance that will provide safety training, safety resources, and information to roughly 10,000 skilled training workers in Southwestern Illinois. TekSolv administers its American Allied Safety Council training to the Council of Owners of Construction Associates Inc. whose members then employ skill trade workers through the Southwestern Illinois Building Trades Council.

John Mouser, CSP, President, Teksolv, states “TekSolv is honored that OSHA has chosen to recognize the achievements of our American Allied Safety Council (AASC) through the OSHA Alliance program. Our unique blend of labor, industry, contract, and stakeholder leadership on our Advisory Board has truly resulted in an unprecedented partnership designed to benefit all involved.”

Through the development and sharing of information on the importance of prevention of workplace hazards, OSHA and the partners will collaborate to encourage worker safety and health in the construction industries. This also includes small businesses and apprentice training programs.

The focus for the training will be on common hazards faced by workers in the industry such as falls, electrical, struck-by, fire, confined spaces, and machine safety. The agreement will further promote agency’s rule making, enforcement initiatives, training and education, outreach and communication, and safety campaigns.

All allied partners expect this agreement to be positive and beneficial for Southwestern Illinois.

Adam Micun, Vice President, TekSolv, explains the benefits and advancements that are being made with this alliance. “Through the elimination of redundant training programs, site access requirements, and medical screenings; several key advancements occur in the workplace. Industry is able to receive “tool- ready” workers on day one and eliminate costly on-site training programs as well as the time required to administer them; the contractors, often small businesses, are able to dramatically reduce costs and invest more dollars into safety and personal development; and the trades are afforded an opportunity to work in a larger variety of facilities through reciprocity. This results in the direct economic advancement of the region through increased jobs and opportunity for American workers."