Masonry Magazine September 2001 Page. 49
NEW WORKFORCE RECRUITMENT TOOL DEVELOPED
The Skills USA VICA Masonry Technical Committee has announced the release of a brochure for parents. This new brochure provides statistics and answers questions parents may have when their child is considering a career in masonry. According to Committee Chair Kimberly Shifflette, "Masonry instructors often find that once they gain a student's interest in a masonry career, they have to convince the parents, who are set on another career path for their child. This brochure will explain the positive aspects of a career in our industry to them." These brochures are now available for purchase at a cost of $4.00 per 20.
The Skills USA - VICA Masonry Technical Committee is comprised of representatives from Bon Tool Company, Brick Association of the Carolinas, Brick Industry Association, Marshalltown Trowel Company, Mason Contractors Association of America, Masonry Institute of Tennessee, National Concrete Masonry Association, Portland Cement Association, Southern Brick Institute, and Spec Mix, Inc. For more information on Skills USA - VICA or to order the new brochure, please contact Kimberly Shifflette, MCAA Director of Education, at 800-536-2225.
MCAA PROVIDES TESTIMONY ON ERGONOMICS STANDARD
In a series of regional hearings and written testimony, U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao is receiving input from industry regarding the issue of ergonomic injury in the work place, what are the possible causes and what action, if any, that OSHA should take to limit these type of injuries. Although OSHA is looking initially at implementing an ergonomics standard at manufacturing, excluding the construction industry, many in the construction industry remember OSHA's introduction of its HAZCOM standard and provided testimony on ergonomics.
In written testimony to the Labor Secretary, MCAA Executive Director Michael Adelizzi sited the labor intensive nature of the masonry industry and the potential excessive costs an ergonomics standard could have on the industry. Costs that would not be as excessive in other construction trades not so reliant on labor as in the concrete tilt-up trade. Adelizzi went on to say "This of course is not to say that we are resistant to the sensitivities that ergonomics plays in our industry. We have exhibited for years, our industry's commitment to easing the burden on our labor force. Innovations in masonry scaffolding have eased our labor forces efforts to handle the installation of both brick and block. With these advances, workers are no longer required to bend down to reach materials. Most recently, advances in developing lighter weight concrete block has also eased the strain of installation. We believe that these advances, not mandated by an OSHA Standard, are good for the future of our industry and the health of our labor force."
In determining a new standard, the secretary will take six issues into consideration. Any new ergonomic standard will address the need for prevention before the injury occurs, it will be incentive-driven signaling a partnership approach between OSHA and employers, it will need to be flexible, taking into account the varying capabilities and characteristics of different businesses and workers, any new standard must be feasible recognizing the cost of compliance to small business, and it must have clarity including short, simple and common sense instructions.
Secretary Chao is expected to identify a coarse of action in September.
HOME GROWN
Homegrown Tools features innovative tools and ideas adapted by contractors from around the country. This column does not accept tools or ideas that are for sale by a manufacturer. The only ideas or tools published will be "homegrown." We encourage readers to submit their own "Homegrown Tools" to the editor of Masonry Magazine at 1910 5. Highland Ave. Ste. 101 Lombard, IL 60148. The publisher of this magazine does not endorse or promote the use of any of these ideas or tools. Readers should evaluate these ideas for safety and effectiveness and adapt their own thoughts on the usefulness of these tools and ideas.
This month's feature submitted by: Steven Fechino, WASCO Masonry, Nashville, TN
VISE OPTIONS
Often times with setting stone we use a vise to custom fabricate our anchors. By mounting the vise on a 2"x10" walk-board, we made it possible for the vise to be transported around the jobsite. This can be used on the scaffolding boards, directly on the ground or on the tailgate of a truck for convenience.