Report of the MCAA Safety Committee

Words: Zach Ackley

Safety Newsletter

The Committee continues to help produce the safety newsletter. These newsletters are short quick newsletters sent to member firms. The purpose is really to re-focus contractors on the importance of safety and give another resource to safety folks in our member firms.

Safety Forum

The Committee is in need of volunteers to assist with the Safety Forums. They don’t take a lot of time, just a quick 15-minute presentation on a safety topic and then the programs lead into other safety related topics. The more volunteers we have, the more forums we can do.

Safety Awards

The MCAA gave our annual safety awards to member companies at our mid-year meeting in Steamboat, CO. Top safety performers were presented with awards at our mid-year Board meeting. We seem to be getting more entries every year.

Networking

The committee has been busy addressing individual requests and inquiries. Whether it be citation advice, implementing a safety program or any other item related to safety, the committee is positioned to help other safety representatives and often spends hours on the phone assisting each other. This is often an overlooked service of the committee, but one of it’s more important one’s.

Masonry

The safety committee is working with Masonry to make sure safety is featured in every issue. Safety will continue to be a major focus for Masonry in the year ahead.

Silica

The committee continues to work on this issue. Whether it be through the courts, the coalition and our attorneys, the committee is committed to making sure the implemented silica rule is the best we can get. We will continue to work with the new administration to seek and advise changes for the rule.

On Boarding Videos

The committee is working to develop on boarding videos in the year ahead. Jackson Lewis has been contracted to develop the content for the videos and then Tom Clark will likely be tapped to be the host and provide the video service for these topics. There will be three topics tackled in 2018, PPE, Silica and HAZ Comm. These videos will be available to members along with tests that will allow them to have new hires watch them and take the test and then get on the job-site having met the training needs of these topics. Every year we will add additional topics to the library. We expect them to become very popular and become an indispensable tool for our members.
Using Respirators for Silica Exposure
July 2025

Some in the masonry industry have expressed interest in respirator use as protection from harmful exposure to silica. This topic is of paramount importance due to its impact on our workers and the serious health effects of silica exposure. For those new t

From Bikes to Buildings: The Importance of Embracing Rainscreen Wall Designs and the New Building Codes.
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Have you ever been asked to do a project over the course of your lifetime? For example, when my kids were little, my wife asked me to assemble their bicycles. So, I opened the box, dumped out the contents, and cast aside whatever I thought was unnecessary

Laying the Foundation for Growth: Concrete Masonry Checkoff Unveils Five-Year Vision for Industry
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The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) put the finishing touches on an ambitious five-year vision for the industry, targeting a 20% increase in market share, driven by increased demand for concrete masonry products. “This is about building exquisite, enduri

Five of the Seven Chimneys Have Been Saved: Project Chimney Update
July 2025

In the wake of the devastating January wildfires that swept through Los Angeles's Pacific Palisades, a remarkable preservation effort is underway, spearheaded by Project Chimney, an initiative led by Evan Hall, founding director of the non-profit House Mu