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🗞️ OSHA-Harvey Construction Direct Partnership Enhances Worker Safety Through Voluntary Collaboration

The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA has established a [voluntary strategic partnership] with Harvey Construction Corp. to enhance worker safety during construction of the Mark Stebbins Community Center in Manchester, New Hampshire.

onthelaborfront

17 Dec 2025 — 3 min read

On December 17, 2025, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a strategic partnership with Harvey Construction Corp., a Bedford, New Hampshire-based commercial construction company. This initiative exemplifies OSHA's shift toward cooperative, voluntary compliance programs that recognize employers' desire to protect their workforce while maintaining operational efficiency.

The partnership operates under OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program, established in 1998, which creates extended voluntary relationships between the agency and private sector employers. Unlike traditional enforcement-based approaches, these partnerships enable companies to work directly with their employees to identify and control hazards through mutually developed safety management systems. Research demonstrates that employers investing in safety programs experience reduced workers' compensation costs, lower injury rates, and improved productivity, with some studies showing savings averaging $355,000 per firm over four years.

The Mark Stebbins Community Center project represents an ideal environment for this collaborative model. Harvey Construction, established in 1939 and incorporated in New Hampshire in 1992, brings 86 years of construction experience to the partnership. The company specializes in educational facilities, hospitals, government buildings, and health and recreation centers. The 20,000 square-foot facility will house the Boys and Girls Club of Manchester's multipurpose gym and the Amoskeag Health Medical Clinic, serving Manchester's West Side where approximately 25% of the city's population resides. The project received $1 million in state funding and an additional $625,000 in tax credits from the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, with construction expected to be completed by fall 2026.

The partnership focuses on preventing common construction hazards—particularly falls and workers being struck by or caught in materials or equipment. These hazards, known collectively as OSHA's "Fatal Four," account for approximately 60% of all construction fatalities. Rather than relying solely on regulatory enforcement, the agreement empowers Harvey Construction to develop customized safety protocols that address site-specific risks while providing comprehensive training to employees, employers, and supervisors.

This approach reflects a broader understanding that direct communication between employers and employees enhances safety outcomes. Workers directly involved in construction processes possess valuable knowledge about job-specific hazards, and their input enables more practical and effective safety solutions. By fostering this direct collaboration, companies can achieve higher compliance with safety standards while building trust between management and workforce.

The Strategic Partnership Program has established over 850 partnerships nationwide, covering more than 31,300 employers and protecting approximately 2.5 million workers. These partnerships offer flexibility in design to accommodate unique operational needs while maintaining accountability for measurable safety improvements. Participants remain subject to OSHA enforcement requirements, ensuring regulatory compliance while benefiting from technical assistance and collaborative problem-solving.

For the construction industry, where multi-employer worksites require coordinated safety management, this partnership model provides a framework for general contractors and subcontractors to align their safety practices. Harvey Construction's commitment to implementing comprehensive safety management systems demonstrates how employers can proactively address workplace hazards while maintaining project timelines and budgets.

Key Points

Voluntary Cooperation Model: Partnership enables direct employer-employee collaboration on safety solutions without adversarial regulatory intervention
Proven Economic Benefits: Employers investing in safety programs reduce workers' compensation costs by an average of 26% and save approximately $355,000 over four years
Primary Hazards Addressed: Falls, struck-by incidents, and caught-in/between hazards—the Fatal Four that cause approximately 60% of construction deaths
Customized Safety Systems: Harvey Construction develops site-specific management protocols with input from workers who understand job-specific risks
Project Scope: 20,000 square-foot community center housing Boys and Girls Club facilities and Amoskeag Health Medical Clinic in Manchester's West Side
Comprehensive Training: Program provides safety education to employees, employers, and supervisors, enhancing knowledge across all organizational levels
National Impact: Part of Strategic Partnership Program with 850+ partnerships protecting 2.5 million workers across 31,300 employers
Construction Timeline: Project expected completion by fall 2026, allowing sustained safety partnership throughout construction phases
Regulatory Flexibility: Participants remain compliant with OSHA standards while receiving technical assistance and collaborative support rather than punitive enforcement
Direct Communication: Program facilitates employer-employee dialogue on safety concerns, fostering trust and practical solutions