Masonry Magazine February 2010 Page. 10
FOR THE RECORD
Jennifer Morrell
Editor
jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com
MASONRY
The Voice of the Masonry Industry
MASONRY Magazine
Official Publication of the
Mason Contractors Association of America and the
Canadian Masonry Contractors Association
MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
President Tom Daniel
Vice President Mackie Sounds
Secretary John Smith, Jr.
Treasurer Mak Kamp
Regional Vice Presidents
Robert V. Barnes, Jr. Richard Porter
Ron Bennett Tim Spilker
Edwin Davenport Mike Satter
Douglas Nichols Roy Seindal
Executive Directar Jeff Buczkiewicz
EXECUTIVE STAFY
Goverment Affairs Representatives The Karen Group
Director of Certification and Education Sharyl Toynton
Director of Membership Bob Bell
Manager of Information Technology Timothy W. Toole
Administrative Assistant Ann Tomell
Consultant Rashed Johnson
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
David Julay (Jollay Masonry Contractors), John Chrysler (Mill, Johe Melanc
(PCA) David Hill (Pettit Construction Co.), John Smith (Smith Mason
Ca.), Brian Grant (Grant/Jack's Masonry), Jerry Painter (Painter Masonry, lac
Doug Nichols (Doug Nichols Enterprises), G. Alan Griffin (Griffin Contracti
Inc.), Tom Daniel (SBC Concrete and Masonry Construction, Inc.)
Executive Office
33 South Route Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
Phone: 847.301.0001 or 800.536.2225
Fax: 841301.1110
Protecting Yourself
As a mason contractor, you and your workers come into contact with potentially harmful equipment and situations daily. You probably take so many things for granted as you maneuver around a jobsite, but what you may overlook is the harm that lurks silently but wreaks long-term negative effects. Silica dust is a great example of such a harmful substance. Many times, the rules and regulations enforced by OSHA conjure anything from a roll of the eyes to outright frustration expressed verbally. But, let's keep in mind that the ultimate goal should always be safety, inside and out. As the below Letter to the Editor explains, it's worth the time taken to protect yourself, every day. IMAS
MASONRY is the official publication of the Mason Contractors Association America (MCAA) and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association (CMC. The magazine acts as a sounding board without approving, disapproring guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data, claim or opinion appe under a byline or obtained or quoted from an acknowledged source. Opinions expressed by officers do not necessarily reflect the official views of MCAR CMC. The appearance of advertising or new product information coes stitute an endorsement by MCA or CMC of product featured
MASONRY ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL OFFICE
Send all advertising and editorial submissions for Masonry ta
Lionheart Publishing, Ine
506 Rowell Street, Suite 220, Marietta, GA 30060 USA
Tet 770.431.0867 fac 770.432.0009 E-mail: pcrpub.com
www.masonrymagazine.com
Publisher John Llewellyn jllewellyn@lionhrtpub.com
Editar Jenalter Marell jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com
Senior Editor Cory Sekine Pettite cory@lionhrtpub.com
Art Director Alan Brubaker abubaku.com
Production Assistant Kat Wong kabrongitionpub.com
Daline Projects Manager Patton McGinley pattonite.com
Advertising Sales Marvis Diamond avotub.com
Art Shaefferatiou.com
Reprints Kellywoodly@onetpub.com
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Jennifer,
I just had a chance to pick up and read the December 2009 issue, and I want to write and thank you for including the article on Silica Dust Collection. It reminded me of one of the last conversations I had with my dad. He was involved in masonry for most of his life (his dad was a mason contractor) as a bricklayer for 40-plus years. Just under two years ago, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. About a week before he started his chemotherapy, we went on a vacation with my family.
One morning, we were up before everyone else, drinking coffee, and we started talking about his cancer and how he was going to beat it. He was a smoker for most of his life and one of those guys who didn't wear a respirator or any personal protection. He told me that was one of his biggest regrets - that he didn't do more to protect his lungs when he had a chance.
Convinced that he was going to beat the cancer, he told me that when things were better, he was going to talk to his former bricklayers and boss about the importance of wearing personal protective equipment. Unfortunately, he didn't get that chance. Two days after he had his first chemo treatment, he came down with pneumonia, and three days later, he died. He was only 63.
Fortunately for my mom, my brother, me and his grandkids, he was able to retire a few years early and enjoy some time with all of us. So, for all bricklayers, laborers and anyone in construction, know the importance of wearing proper safety equipment. Don't do it because it is mandated by OSHA, do it because it's the smart thing to do, and your parents, husband/wife, kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, friends and co-workers want you to be around for a while.
Sincerely,
Steve Gantner, Jr.
The Voice of the Masonry Industry