Masonry Producers Align With Osha

Massachusetts concrete block and landscape unit plant workers can benefit from a new alliance among Occupational Safety and Health Administration Region

Massachusetts concrete block and landscape unit plant workers can benefit from a new alliance among Occupational Safety and Health Administration Region 1 staff in Boston, New England Concrete Masonry Association (NECMA), and the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety’s Consultation Program (MDOS-CP). Announced by Region 1 late last year, the alliance seeks to reduce or prevent workers’ exposure to silica dust, high noise levels, electrical and confined space hazards, and being struck by large concrete blocks.

OSHA, NECMA and MDOS-CP will develop training and education programs for NECMA members and others, including presentation of OSHA’s 10-hour construction safety course. The alliance will promote NECMA members’ participation in OSHA cooperative programs and encourage producers to work with the agency’s regional and area offices to address occupational hazards.

The foundation of occupational safety is knowledge, says Marthe Kent, OSHA’s regional administrator for New England. Our goal is to equip industry workers with the information and ability to identify and correct hazards before they cause injury or illness.

Signing the alliance were OSHA Massachusetts Area Directors Brenda Gordon, Francis Pagliuca and Mary Hoye; NECMA Executive Director David Dimmick; and, MDOS-CP Commissioner Robert Prezioso.