OSHA and the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA)
Close-Out Report
September 17, 2007

On March 17, 2004, OSHA and MCAA formed an Alliance to focus on encouraging employers, including small businesses, to increase employee access to safety and health information and training resources, particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to hazards associated with masonry wall bracing, scaffolding, silica and forklift operations. The Alliance was renewed for an additional two years on August 21, 2006. Due to organizational changes MCAA has decided to focus on other projects and priorities, therefore OSHA and MCAA agreed to conclude the Alliance as of September 17, 2007.

Through OSHA and MCAA Alliance the organizations worked together to meet the agreements' goals, and achieved a number of successes including:

• On March 29-31, 2006, Mary Jo Brown, Jerry DiVicino, Mark Fontaine, Todd Schultz, Art Sipple and Michelle Vieira with the Nevada On-site Consultation Program staffed the Alliance Program exhibit booth during the MCAA Masonry Showcase in Las Vegas, Nevada. OSHA provided compliance assistance and Alliance publications, including the OSHA and MCAA Alliance Activities Summary, which were distributed during the event to the attendees.

• In the course of the OSHA and MCAA Alliance, MCAA members and staff along with representatives from the Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America and Associated General Contractors Training Fund conducted a Masonry Best Practices Seminar for OSHA federal, State Plan State and On-site Consultation Program representatives. More than 50 attendees participated at the following seminars:

  • October 26, 2006 - Carol Stream, Illinois
  • January 26, 2006 - High Hill, Missouri

  Developed through the OSHA and MCAA Alliance, the seminar focuses on masonry industry safety methods for overhead bricklaying, fall protection, material handling and scaffold access. Following the classroom sessions, seminar participants are provided hands-on training on rough terrain forklift operation, scaffolding techniques and masonry basics, among other demonstrations.