HOLLAND, MI  Lakewood Construction, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) recently signed a formal partnership with the goal of zero worker injuries, accidents, and near misses during the construction of the new Caledonia High School South Campus building.

The new building is a two-story, 117,000-square-foot facility that will enable the district to maximize its resources and provide students with a greater variety of courses in both buildings.

"MIOSHA commends Lakewood Construction for demonstrating superior standards of worker safety and health," said MIOSHA Director Martha Yoder. "The agency is proud to enter into a new partnership that provides the utmost level of worker protections on this construction project."

Signing partners included Yoder; Lakewood Construction's Robert J. McFarlane, LEED AP, Vice President; Caledonia Community Schools' Gary Delger, Director of Operations; and partnering employers.

"Lakewood Construction and partners are excited to enter into a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement with MIOSHA to deliver a heightened level of safety for construction of the building," said Robert McFarlane, Lakewood Construction Vice President and Director of Safety. "This is an incredible opportunity for all the players on this project to elevate their attention to safety, show our community we take it seriously, and furthermore, demonstrate construction is a safe industry to work in."

The partnership outlines a clear safety objective and provides analytics to help all parties improve their safety awareness with the ultimate goal of zero recordable injuries and ensuring everyone returns home in the same condition they came to work.

The safety of the construction project's employees is fundamental to this partnership with MIOSHA. The leadership of Lakewood Construction, partnering contractors, LARA and MIOSHA are aligned and committed to achieving the objective of worker protection by providing a workplace with an effective safety management system that is hazard-free. All partners agree to commit their leadership, time and resources to achieve this valuable goal.

"Our employees are our most valuable resource," McFarlane said. "It's our responsibility to provide a safe work environment for everyone. Simply stated, "˜Safety First. No Excuses.'"