Report of the MCAA Safety and Technical Committee

Changes to the 2005 ACI 530 / ASCE 5 / TMS 402 Masonry Code
This past February, The Masonry Society (TMS) published the latest edition of the Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC) Code and Specification. While there are many changes that were made, there are three major changes that are of particular interest to mason contractors.

Wet cutting CMU - Ever since the first MSJC, there has been a caveat in the Spec that stated "unless otherwise required, do not wet masonry units". This meant that unless you had a progressive architect, engineer or general contractor, chances are every time you wet cut, you were violating the Code. While this is rarely enforced, the MCAA decided to clarify the language for the explicit purpose of allowing contractors to wet masonry units (if they desired) while cutting. This does not mandate wet cutting, just allows the option to wet cut. Our means for changing the Code was a battle cry from Rashod R. Johnson, our Director of Engineering. He asked our members for help and 88 of you responded to TMS to help facilitate this Code change. Kudos to MCAA members for a job well done

Low lift grouting - The Specification provisions for low lift grouting has changed. The grout lift height has been increased from 5'0" lifts to 12'8" lifts. This should increase productivity for grout placement tremendously where low lift grouting is mandated.

Lap Splices - The lap splice lengths for reinforcing steel seems to get larger and larger every Code cycle. This Code cycle should stop that trend. There were changes made to the lap splice equation that should lower steel lap lengths by around 25% for allowable stress design. While we know that is not enough, it is certainly a noble start.

Last month at the ICC Code hearings, the IBC representatives decided to adopt 48 bar dia. as the standard lap splice for the IBC. While the members of MSJC are not happy about this, we at MCAA support it. This should help to lessen the lap splice burden on contractors nationwide.

Changes to ASTM Standards
The ASTM Standards are forever changing. These past six months have been fairly quiet, but things are certainly sure to pick up during the next ASTM Meeting in Reno, NV in June. Contact Rashod at rjohnson@masoncontractors.org for more information about ASTM Standards or if u plan to attend the Reno meetings.

Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls
At this year's Masonry Showcase, there will be a full scale wall bracing seminar. This 4 hour course is intended to teach project managers, safety managers, foremen and any other responsible person to understand and implement the OSHA regulation on wall bracing, the Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls, and the Masonry Wall Bracing Design Handbook. Completion of this course will allow your people to safely and efficiently design adequate masonry wall bracing.

Starting in June of 2005, the Council for Masonry Wall Bracing will reconvene in order to update the current Standard Practice. There will also be some discussion as to whether or not the Wall Bracing Handbook should be made into an interactive CD.

OSHA / MCAA Alliance
A year ago, the MCAA signed a national alliance with OSHA. There are for key issues specifically cited in the Alliance: fall protection, forklift safety, scaffold safety and wall bracing. The MCAA is working closely with OSHA to develop training materials for MCAA members as it pertains to the Alliance. Only members of MCAA will be allowed to participate in this Alliance that will give MCAA members some leverage when dealing with OSHA on the regional and local levels. While these are the four issues that we signed the Alliance for, the close relationship with OSHA Staff has proved to be invaluable for other safety and health related issues. OSHA will be in attendance at the 2005 Masonry Showcase in the MCAA booth if you have questions about OSHA or the Alliance.

Safety Software
Your Association has recently developed a computerized safety program that if followed properly, will aid contractors in implementing an employee health and safety program that will comply with the current OSHA regulations.

This software is fully customizable so that you can input your company's name and logo into all of the preset forms, toolbox talks and recordkeeping forms that will allow you to completely develop and print your comprehensive safety program. There are 18 safety topics ranging from fall protection to ergonomics to substance abuse. Each safety topic has a compliance guide that outlines which OSHA regulations are to be followed, toolbox talks, training, records and reports, and model documents. Whether you have a safety program or not, this software will greatly assist you in making your jobsites safer.

Safety Committee
Your Association is doing more on occupational safety and health topics than ever before. We are meeting with officials from OSHA, NIOSH, CDC and other trade organizations on a variety of health issues and your input is greatly needed. The Safety Committee consists of seven safety professionals who will be responsible for developing the training materials for our members as it relates to the safety. Members of this committee may be asked to sit on special OSHA Committees, Task Forces and Construction Roundtables that OSHA hosts every year. Your help is needed to ensure that we are well represented on these committees. If you or your safety director wishes to join the safety Committee, contact Rashod R. Johnson, Director of Engineering at rjohnson@masoncontractors.org or call him at (847) 301-0001.