BROOMFIELD, CO, Aug. 2, 2005 -- MWH, a global consulting firm, announced that the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has recognized MWH Constructors (MWHC) for its outstanding safety performance at the Northeast Water Purification Plant Expansion Project in Houston. MWHC has been acknowledged as a participant in the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) as a Star Demonstration site. In June, MWH and its subcontractors completed 750,000 workforce hours of Phase 1 construction with zero lost time accidents. MWH is the design-build-operator for the Houston Area Water Corp.'s $129 million project.
Approval into VPP is OSHA's official recognition of the outstanding efforts of organizations to achieve exemplary occupation safety and health. The Star Demonstration site designation is awarded to worksites that demonstrate excellent safety behaviors and practices. Sites apply and are assessed against performance-based criteria for a managed safety and health system. Those who pass the rigorous onsite evaluation must submit annual self-evaluations and undergo periodic onsite reevaluations to remain in the program. Dominic G'Benoba, General Manager of the Houston Area Water Corporation (HAWC) said, "MWH's safety program reached in to every level of participants in this complex project, making safety the first concern of everyone involved."
"MWH Constructors is honored to be recognized for this prestigious award," said Todd Larson, MWHC Vice President. "We are proud that the Northeast Water Purification Plant has received the Star Demonstration site designation and look forward continuing this successful project with the Houston Area Water Corporation."
The plant expansion meets growing surface-water needs for the City of Houston and allows it to capitalize on development of the Lake Houston reservoir. "The plant expansion will help the City accommodate for rapid growth by improving potable water delivery from Lake Houston." said Claudia Williamson, member of the HAWC Board of Directors. "We have been extremely impressed with MWH's commitment to safety on this important project, especially considering this was accomplished on an expedited schedule."
The project features a 20,000 sq ft administration building which houses the HAWC administrative offices, MWH operations offices, maintenance shop, 60-seat auditorium, reception and exhibit area, and a bottling plant. Completion of construction of Phase II is due at the end of this year.
MWH (www.mwhglobal.com) is a private, employee-owned consulting firm based in Broomfield, Colo., with over 6,000 employees worldwide. The firm provides engineering design and remediation, construction, procurement, program management, and technology solutions for the environmental, land, water, wastewater, energy and power markets of the Americas, Europe, Middle East, India, Asia and the Pacific Rim.
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