Amtrak Rail Yard Track and Facility Reconstruction

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), SPC provided comprehensive occupational health and safety services for the $150 million track and facility design-build renovations at Amtrak’s Chicago Union Station Rail Yard. This initiative aimed to revitalize the economy, create or save jobs, and address long-standing challenges to help the US thrive in the 21st century.

Specialty Consulting, Inc. (SPC) responsibilities included delivering safety training, conducting safety oversight and inspections, and developing and implementing plans to assess and monitor activities for hazardous exposures and explosive conditions. The safety training services encompassed first aid, CPR and OSHA 10-hour training for over 250 construction workers across more than ten classes to accommodate the workforce. SPC also provided up to 12 full-time licensed and accredited safety professionals throughout the project. These professionals observed personnel behavior, corrected safety violations, performed daily reporting with Unsafe Behavior Data forms, reviewed job hazard analysis forms, conducted daily reviews of Safe Plan of Action(s), and participated in daily job briefings. The project required nighttime and weekend shifts to support the 24/7 construction schedule.

Additionally, SPC offered specialized health and safety consulting services to manage specific hazards. They developed a Work Plan, including an Ambient Air Monitoring Plan, to address the excavation and handling of petroleum-contaminated soil and mitigate potential explosion hazards from free-product in the shallow subsurface. They also created Exposure Assessment and Monitoring Plans for diesel exhaust, noise, and silica dust, ensuring a comprehensive approach to workplace safety and health throughout the project.