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Messer Construction Co. Enters Into Safety Partnership Agreement with State

(December 21, 2007)  Lexington, KY - Designed to Increase Worker Safety at University of Kentucky Construction Site - The Kentucky Department of Labor (DOL), Messer Construction Co. and the University of Kentucky (UK) have entered into a formal safety partnership aimed at preventing accidents and injuries among workers involved in a large construction project on UK’s campus.

DOL, UK and Messer company officials today signed a voluntary agreement in a ceremony at the construction site of the University of Kentucky’s Biological and Pharmaceutical Complex.

Department of Labor Commissioner J. R. Gray said he hopes signing his first safety agreement sets a positive tone for the New Year. “I’m pleased that my first ‘official’ event as labor commissioner involves calling attention to the importance of a safe workforce. During my tenure, we will work every day to make Kentucky job sites safe places to work.”

The Construction Partnership Program – the fifth between Messer and Kentucky DOL – is a voluntary arrangement in which safety and health experts from the Division of Education and Training, Kentucky Office of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), make quarterly, consultative visits to the building site to provide extensive safety and health surveys.

Education and training on Kentucky OSH standards are provided when applicable. As a result of OSH’s continuous engagement with training, education and safety process implementation, random compliance inspections are unnecessary as long as requirements are met.

Visits begin with an on-site conference of employees and subcontractors, followed by a walk-through inspection to identify hazards. Findings are discussed in a closing conference, followed within days by a detailed presentation of any hazards. In addition, abatement dates are set for deficiencies that have not already been corrected. The last step is a detailed written report for the company.

Messer Construction Co., a regional general contractor and construction manager, provides leadership for complex building projects in Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana. Founded in 1932, Messer has built a premier reputation for providing outstanding construction experiences and value to diverse group of clients and owners. In 2007 Messer will put in place nearly $700 million in commercial construction.

The company and Kentucky DOL also entered into a construction safety partnership in 2006, when Messer was general contractor for the $30 million expansion of UK’s Memorial Coliseum in Lexington.

The UK Biological and Pharmaceutical Complex project is scheduled for completion by January 2010. The estimated cost of the project is $105 million and will employ more than 45 subcontractors. The new complex will be comprised of six above- grade levels and one below-grade level with an “interconnect” to adjacent facilities. The complex will house new academic, administrative and research spaces, including a vivarium and the Center for Pharmaceutical Science and Technology facilities.

Kentucky OSH and the Kentucky Department of Labor are agencies of the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.

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