Silica call to action

Words: Jeff BuczkiewiczThe Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is working to try to get language into a House bill that would support Senate bill language to require OSHA to do more research and prove the need for the new silica legislation. We ask that you contact your Congressman today and ask them to sign on to a letter being drafted by Congressman Huizenga which would encourage the House Appropriations committee to include the language.

The sample below is a guide; you should feel free to add your own story about silica and how it will impact your company, your community, and your employees. You can view the MCAA position paper for reference as well. Please ask for the staff person who handles labor and appropriations for the Member of Congress.

We appreciate your help in getting support for this letter. This may be our last opportunity to try to get this included.

Sample Phone Call

Hello, my name is ___________________ and I am calling as a member of the Mason Contractors Association of America who lives in ___________________ (city, state).

I am calling with an important request for the Congressman / Congresswoman to sign onto a letter circulated by Rep. Bill Huizenga to the House Appropriations Committee requesting language be included in the FY17 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill that would ensure the Department of Labor answers pertinent questions before they finalize or enforce any new regulations related to silica exposure limits.

By now I am sure you have heard from numerous industries, including my industry, on how destructive this new proposed rule will be. This regulation would decimate the masonry and construction industry to the tune of $5 billion per year and in many ways is not technologically feasible. This is likely the last chance we have to slow OSHA and the Department of Labor down and we need your boss to sign this letter.

For questions of Rep. Huizenga's office please reach out to Nate Bult.

Thank you!
If you need help identifying your Congressman, please visit our website or contact our office at 800-536-2225. If you reach your Congressman's office, please let Jeff Buczkiewicz know. You can send him an e-mail at jeffb@masoncontractors.org.
About: Legislative
Beyond the Block: Aesthetic Innovations in CMU Construction
August 2026

Concrete masonry units (CMUs) have long been a mainstay of construction. They are well known as a “tried and true” material with a long history of high-strength structural performance, affordability, ease of assembly, and a long lifecycle. CMU constructio

Peter Roberts
Technical Talks
Block
Read More
The Most Overlooked Profit Center on Your Job Site
August 2026

The real cost of equipment ownership isn't what you pay on day one. It's what happens over the years that follow. The purchase price of a new mortar mixer, grout pump, material handling system, or masonry saw is only part of the investment. What happens

Steve Wheeler
MAP Partner
Read More
Installation Starts Before the First Course
August 2026

Some of the most expensive masonry installation problems begin long before crews arrive onsite. By the time a project reaches the field, many coordination decisions have already been made. Dimensional conflicts, congested reinforcement, specialty materia

Technical Talks
Read More
Designing for Performance: Key Considerations for Efficient, Durable Masonry Projects
August 2026

A successful masonry project starts well before the first stone is set. The craftsmanship on site matters, of course, but many of the decisions that shape the final result are made much earlier—during design, detailing, and material selection. Those choic

Jeff Tew
MAP Partner
Manufactured Stone MAP Partner Stone (Exterior) Stone (Interior)
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →