OSHA Silica Rulemaking

Words: Jeff BuczkiewiczThe Department of Labor just released its 2015 Fall Regulatory Agenda, which states that OSHA will issue the final rule for Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica in February 2016. The silica timetable is somewhat surprising, as it was expected that the final rule would likely be issued next fall/winter.

As members of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC), the MCAA and its members are urged to contact the Chairman and Ranking Members of the US House and Senate Appropriations Committee asking them to support the Hoeven Amendment Language. The Hoeven Amendment is a good compromise that asks the Agency to answer a number of legitimate questions before going forward to finalize the regulation. Suggested talking points for this call can be downloaded here.

Language of the Hoeven Amendment is included in the Senate Labor-HHS-Ed bill (S.1695) in Section 115 which starts on page 41 at: https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/s1695/BILLS-114s1695pcs.pdf

Access the Appropriations Committee members at: http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/about/members

Thank you for your attention to this important industry request.
The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Building Solutions: The Critical Role of Cavity Space in Masonry Moisture Control
April 2026

Long before “rainscreen” became a popular term in building science, masonry cavity walls were functioning on that very principle. A brick veneer cavity wall is designed with the expectation that water will penetrate the exterior