Masonry Magazine April 1972 Page. 29
Washington Wire
SOME 46 CHANGES WILL BE MADE IN JOB SAFETY STANDARDS before 1972 ends. The changes will include clarification of prevailing industry-adopted rules. Most of the Labor Department revisions will be completed by the end of June. The remainder will be added to the occupational safety rules by December 31.
Revised standards for toxic substances and noise are set for June. So is a new asbestos standard to replace the emergency regulation of last year. By year-end, the Department plans to develop new regulation on carbon monoxide and silica.
INTERNAL REVENUE IS NOW CRACKING DOWN on shady tax-return preparers. Criminal investigations of about 70 such outfits is under way at present. IRS chief Walters says some offenders are operating a mass refund racket-computing false increases in taxpayers' exemptions to produce big refunds. IRS may soon require registration of persons preparing returns for a fee. Under the plan, registrations would be valid for only a three-year period. In order to renew, an individual would have to show technical competence.
Income-tax preparation has become a big business. About 50% of American taxpayers paid preparers to do returns in 1971.
ODDS FAVOR CREATION OF A NEW CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY this year, despite efforts by several business groups to soften the House-passed bill. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers would like to stop it outright. The Grocery Manufacturers of America and other groups are seeking less restrictive amendments. Some opponents hope that all the controversy will result in delays so that Congress can't pass it before adjourning. Then the measure would have to start over next year.
Proponents still have some procedural hurdles to contend with. The Senate Commerce Committee will give the measure a going-over. But Democrats see the bill as an election plus.
Superior Fireplace Marks 50th Year
Superior Fireplace Co., Fullerton, Calif., and Baltimore, Md., recently celebrated its 50th anniversary exclusively in the fireplace business by hosting the company's first national sales meeting, "Putting It All Together." Superior executives, sales managers and fireplace consultants from all sections of the country convened at the Royal Coach Motor Hotel, Anaheim, Calif., to kick off the two-day seminar on sales and marketing strategies and goals for 1972. Kurt Kenworth (center), Superior vice president-marketing, welcomed guest speakers Bill Hensell (left) of F. W. Dodge Corp. and Sid Drasnin, AIA of The Larwin Company to the meeting. Not pictured is guest speaker John Nosse of the International Conference of Building Officials, who also was a speaker.
THE HIGH BOND CLASSROOM
a monthly feature by Amspec
In previous articles, we've learned about the proper procedures used to gain the very best possible bond with SARABOND brand mortar additive. Now is a good time to talk about how to clean up after using SARABOND because SARABOND sticks well to most surfaces.
Clean-up with SARABOND requires a few simple procedures before the mortar hardens.
SARABOND is designed to stick to brick, and it does stick better than any other mortar. But the tremendous bonding ability of SARABOND to brick, concrete block, stone, and concrete slabs also adheres it to scaffold planks, tools, shovels, mortar mixers, work shoes and hands. Not to mention wedding rings and watch crystals.
With some simple precautions a lot of pounding, scraping and chiseling can be avoided. Wash the mixer every couple of hours and clean thoroughly at the end of the day. Knock the mortar off the scaffold daily and scrape the mortar buildup away from the bottom of the wall. Scrape all wet mortar from sidewalks and slabs; protect large floor areas with a layer of sand, film or drop cloths.
Masking tape on the toes of your shoes and on tools where mortar buildup is unavoidable is one trick used in the field. Wearing a ring? Try tape or a bandaid.
Another good idea is to start the day with a thin coat of hand cream or petroleum jelly applied to the hands. Then at the end of the day wash hands with water and then rub in a small amount of available oil (motor, linseed, machine, etc.). As the oil works into the hands the mortar begins to loosen. Soap and water will then finish the job.
Clean out the wheelbarrow and other tools frequently and clean them thoroughly at the end of each day. High pressure water is most convenient for clean- up. Shovels which are used with mortar should be kept in water throughout the day... but don't put 'em in the mixing water and contaminate a good batch of mortar with partially cured mortar.
The trick to masonry clean-up with SARABOND is to get at it before the mortar sets on any undesirable area. Tape, water, and drop cloths are lots easier than pounding, scraping and chiseling.
Next month. Amspec's high bond classroom moves to a new series of informative discussions on THREAD- LINE brand masonry adhesive. Be sure to look for our classroom hints on this exciting technique of masonry block construction.
*Registered trademark of The Dow Chemical Company.