OSHA recently delayed enforcement of its 2016 rule on respirable crystalline silica. The enforcement date has been changed from June 23, 2017 to September 23, 2017. Affected employers can comply by either following Table 1 of the rule, or by implementing the alternative exposure control methods that are established by the rule. (Note: This rule is under litigation by the Construction Industry Safety Coalition and other groups. The groups that are in opposition to the rule believe that OSHA did not meet its burden of prove with regard to the rule being technologically and economically feasible. It is unknown whether the litigation will be resolved prior to the newly established September 23 enforcement date. 

MCAA has several silica safety resources to help your company comply with the rule. They are available to you for free as a benefit of membership. The resources, which can be accessed here, are listed below.

• Worker Safety Training Video on Silica
• Accompanying Silica Safety Pocket Guide
• 20-Question Multiple Choice Test and Answer Key
• Worker Safety Training Documentation Sheet
• Model Silica Exposure Control Plan
• Silica Safety Guide
• Silica Safety Bulletin

MCAA urges all affected members to participate in the 4th annual nationwide OSHA Safety Stand Down to help prevent workers from falling from elevations, and protect those workers who do fall. Falls from elevations are the third leading cause of injury in the mechanical construction and service injury, and the injuries from the impact of falling are often extremely severe. The stand down takes place May 8-12, 2017. To participate, take time out during that week to refresh your workers memories about the industry’s fall hazards and accompanying fall prevention and protection measures. MCAA’s educational fall prevention and protection safety resources, which are provided for you as a benefit of membership, are listed below. You can access them here.

MCAA Educational Safety Resources:

Fall Restraint and Arrest Systems – Video – Pocket Guide – Training Documentation Sheet – 20-Question Multiple Choice Test – Test Answer Key

Ladder Safety – Video – Pocket Guide – Training Documentation Sheet – 20-Question Multiple Choice Test – Test Answer Key

Aerial Lift Safety – Video – Pocket Guide – Training Documentation Sheet – 20-Question Multiple Choice Test – Test Answer Key

Scaffold Safety – Video – Pocket Guide – Training Documentation Sheet – 20-Question Multiple Choice Test – Test Answer Key

MCAA Toolbox Safety Talk – Volume I – Talk #s (1 – 11)

MCAA Toolbox Safety Talk – Volume II – Talk #s (1 – 6)

MCAA Toolbox Safety Talk – Volume IV – Talk #s (1 – 5)

You found a way to overcome a challenge in the office, in the fab shop, on the project site or in dealing with customers and suppliers and it worked so well, your company’s bottom line benefited. If other companies are likely facing the same challenge, why not share the idea so that challenge becomes a thing of the past?

The E. Robert Kent Award for Management Innovation not only honors great ideas, but also publicizes them so all of industry may benefit.  Whether it’s a more efficient approach to office operations or a device or procedure that eases the work flow in the shop or on a job, the idea may be worthy of one of MCAA’s most distinguished awards.

Nominations for the 2017 E. Robert Kent Award are due October 6, 2017.  The innovation must be just that…unique.  Commercial products, regardless of how new and innovative they may be, are not eligible.  More information about the Award and the nomination form are available through the links below.

Download the Brochure

Download the Nomination Form

Please contact Ann Mattheis with questions.