November 21, 2003 9:50 AM CST

MCAA's Impact on the OSHA Silica Standard

By Michael Adelizzi

The MCAA has been publishing information on a new wide reaching OSHA Silica Standard that would significantly impact the masonry industry. In fact it has been said that the Silica Standard would rival asbestosis. The MCAA has been integrally involved in OSHA?s efforts to promulgate the new standard.

Through our Director of Government Affairs, Marian Marshall, the MCAA has been successful in gaining three seats on OSHA?s eleven member SEBREFA Panel which is reviewing the new standard. This effort will hopefully shed some light on the difficulties on implementing the new standard and the high financial costs to mason contractors to comply with the standard.

?It was issues such as this Silica Standard that promoted the MCAA Board to add this new position? said MCAA Executive Director Michael Adelizzi. ?Marian is actually taking the lead role in a coalition that includes high powered associations such as the AGC, ABC and Homebuilders in fighting for a more favorable standard.?

The SEBREFA Panels are met on Monday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 12. ?Once OSHA issues their new standard, we will know better which way we need to go to impact any negative impacts the standard will have on our industry. It?s good to have someone full time in Washington working on this issue.? Adelizzi said.

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About the Author

Michael Adelizzi was the Executive Director of the Mason Contractors Association of America.