Osha, Brick Producer Alliance Eyes Ergonomics Issues, Silica Exposure

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Brick Industry Association have a renewed an alliance through which representatives of both

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Brick Industry Association have a renewed an alliance through which representatives of both organizations target ergonomic injury rate reduction and prevention of exposure to hazardous levels of silica.

BIA representatives serve on the editorial boards for OSHA’s Safety and Health Topics pages that address such brick industry conditions as silica exposure; lockout/tagout; confined space entry; machine guarding; and, heat stress. In addition, a BIA and OSHA Alliance page has been posted on the association’s Web site with links to compliance assistance and cooperative program resources. Also, OSHA representatives presented information on exposure monitoring, control of dust, and regulatory compliance assistance resources at BIA’s February 2008 Silicosis Prevention Seminar.

Our Alliance has made significant contributions to improve the safety and health of employees, said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin Foulke, Jr. OSHA is pleased to continue joint efforts with BIA that help reduce and prevent workplace exposure to silica.

Adds BIA Vice President of Environmental Health and Safety Joe Casper, OSHA’s providing of speakers at BIA Îbest practicesÌ seminars, and editorial reviews of safety materials serve as significant boosts to the industry’s safety programs.