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.
About: Legislative
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 37 Recap: Starling Johnson, VP of Sales at STALITE Lightweight Aggregate
February 2026

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Starling Johnson joins the set in Indianapolis to talk about her path within masonry, sales in this industry, and life outside of work.

Justin Stengel
The MASONRY STRONG Podcast
Read More
Masonry Restoration: Why Walls Fail and How We Fix Them
February 2026

Masonry doesn’t crack. Old brick never has issues. Every masonry wall lasts 100 years or more… right? If only that were true. Masonry is one of the most durable building materials ever used, but like all construction, it responds to time, movement, mo

MAP Partner
Read More
MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz Testifies To Congress On AI In Masonry
February 2026

On February 11, 2026, Jeff Buczkiewicz, President and CEO of the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), testified before the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. He spoke during a hearing titled “Building an AI-Ready America: Safer Workp

Legislative
Read More
MCAA President and CEO Jeff Buczkiewicz To Testify To Congress On AI
February 2026

On February 11, 2026, Jeff Buczkiewicz, President and CEO of the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), will testify before the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. Representing a $41 billion industry, Buczkiewicz plans to showcase GEORG

Legislative
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →