FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
World of Concrete 2026 Registration Is Open ↗

OSHA calls for water, rest and shade

Words: Dave Afandador/Public/News/20120712055500-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even die." />
Every year, thousands of workers become sick from exposure to heat, and some even die.
On June 20, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels spoke with more than 80 meteorologists and weather broadcasters about OSHA's campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers. Secretary Solis, Dr. Michaels, and Acting Deputy Director of the National Weather Service Steven Cooper also discussed the populations most at risk, the importance of acclimatization, and the value of using the buddy system to look out for heat illness warning signs in coworkers. Read more about the heat call in Dr. Michaels' most recent post on the DOL blog.

In addition, OSHA is posting more than 100 “Water. Rest. Shade.” billboards across four states to educate employers and workers about the hazards of working outdoors in hot weather. The billboards will appear in Arkansas, Florida, Texas, and Illinois — the four states with the highest number of occupational heat-related fatalities in 2010. They direct viewers, in both English and Spanish, to visit OSHA's heat illness web page for bilingual educational materials, a downloadable smart phone app, workplace training, and other information on how to prevent heat illness and what to do in an emergency. The billboards, provided by Lamar Outdoor Advertising, will be in place for eight weeks, running from mid-June through August.

OSHA offices around the country are also responding to the summer heat with resources, information, and outreach, including radio interviews and new wallet cards. These new cards, which are small enough for workers and employers to carry in their wallets, include some heat illness symptoms to watch out for as well as a QR code that workers and employers can scan with any smartphone to access OSHA's Heat page and online resources. Smartphone users with a camera phone can download a free QR reader from their app store and scan the image to open a web page in their phone's browser. OSHA also encourages iPhone and Android users to download the OSHA Heat App, which just reached the benchmark of over 25,000 downloads. To order any of OSHA's materials in English or Spanish, call OSHA's Office of Communications at (202) 693-1999 or visit OSHA's Publications page.
 0
Masonry Tools: 17,000 Years in the Making (and Still Counting)
October 2025

If you have ever looked into a mason’s toolbox and thought, “Haven’t I seen this before?” you are not wrong. Masonry has been shaping civilizations for more than 17,000 years, and while the structures have changed, the pace of tool innovation has been abo

Shayne Sanders
Technical Talks
Read More
MCAA's 2026 World Of Concrete Education Sessions: Quality Masonry, Wall Bracing, GEORGE, And The Return Of Foreman Development
October 2025

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is proud to present its comprehensive lineup of educational sessions for the 2026 World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas.

Dan Kamys
Read More
Building Efficiency: 8 Ways to Boost Productivity on Stone and Block Projects
October 2025

The mark of a successful project isn’t just exceptional craftsmanship; it’s the ability to manage the work efficiently and keep it on track. When it comes to manufactured stone veneer (MSV), efficiency is critical. From preparing substrates and managing m

Jeff Tew
Technical Talks
Read More
From the Wall to the Classroom: The Human Story of ReCastED
October 2025

For 30 years, you’ve been on the wall. You know the feel of the trowel in your hand, the sound of a solid mortar joint, and the pride of looking at a finished job. You’ve built a career with your hands, your skill, and your sweat.

Dan Kamys
Industry News
Read More