CG SCHMIDT EARNS OSHA'S VPP STAR STATUS
CG SCHMIDT EARNS VPP STAR STATUS
MILWAUKEE, WI – On Monday, November 17, 2008, employees of CG Schmidt, Milwaukee’s largest construction management firm, gathered at the Italian Community Center with regional OSHA officials and representatives from three organized labor unions to celebrate CG Schmidt’s acceptance into OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) at the star level.Acceptance CeremonyThe event included dinner and a ceremony with remarks from Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Milwaukee CEO, Mike Fabishak and OSHA’s Chicago Deputy Regional Administrator, Sandra Taylor. Also in attendance were representatives from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 139, the Operative Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association Local 599 and the Milwaukee Office of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. Deputy Regional Administrator Sandra Taylor commemorated the event by presenting CG Schmidt with a dedicatory plaque and a flag. CG Schmidt employees from four different trades accepted the flag on CG Schmidt’s behalf.VPP Star: “Best in Class” DesignationDesignation as a VPP participant is the highest form of OSHA partnership obtainable and is a significant milestone in CG Schmidt’s company history. Less than 100 construction companies nationwide have earned this distinction, and CG Schmidt is the first in Milwaukee and one of only two in the state of Wisconsin. To gain entry into the VPP, CG Schmidt underwent a rigorous application and audit process to demonstrate that its safety policies, procedures and culture are in alignment with OSHA’s goals and mission. As a VPP Star company, CG Schmidt will be self-regulating safety performance on its work sites and mentoring the firms it works with to improve occupational health and safety in the construction industry.VPP in the Construction IndustryDuring the ceremony Mayor Barrett, Mike Fabishak and Sandra Taylor all commended CG Schmidt for their participation in such a coveted partnership. During his remarks, CG Schmidt’s Executive Vice President and COO, Mike Abuls expressed what an honor it is to be trusted by OSHA and what an impact these kinds of partnerships can make on the industry. He said, “CG Schmidt’s partnership marks not only CG Schmidt’s history, but also the history of Milwaukee’s construction industry. A strong safety culture, like the one necessary to obtain VPP star status, is how we improve safety in a statistically dangerous industry.”AGC of Milwaukee CEO, Mike Fabishak spoke passionately of the AGC’s involvement with CG Schmidt and proudly acknowledged CG Schmidt as, “a company that has taken a leadership role in shaping the local construction industry, as well as Milwaukee’s landscape.” President and CEO of CG Schmidt, Rick Schmidt welcomed the warm remarks and reminded CG Schmidt staff that, “by accepting this partnership our work has just begun.” He added, “If we’re not improving, we’re falling behind.”