Masonry Magazine November 2001 Page. 16
COVER STORY
OSHA
16 MASONRY NOVEMBER, 2001
An Overview
& Update
by Joe O'Connor, Intec, Inc.
With several hot issues, such as silica and ergonomics, facing the masonry industry and a new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) director, getting a status report becomes critical. However, in the wake of the recent national tragedy in New York and Washington, I would be remiss if I did not applaud OSHA's efforts to ensure the safety of affected rescuers and workers. OSHA provided technical assistance to employers and federal agencies. Their concerns focused on trenching hazards, asbestos levels and other dangers associated with structural damage. During rescue operations, they advised Consolidated Edison on trenching and consulted with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms regarding worker protection. OSHA testing performed in a several block radius around the World Trade Center generally revealed no asbestos or very low levels.
As the country and OSHA begin to return to a new state of "normalcy", the regulatory agenda priorities published in May and now viewed under the light of the new administration will begin to take shape. The new administration of which I speak of course is the Bush administration and its appointees. The new Secretary of Labor is Elaine Chao. The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health is John L. Henshaw. The most significant, of course, is Mr. Henshaw. He was named by President George W. Bush to head OSHA on June 13, 2001 and confirmed by the Senate on August 3, 2001. As an industrial hygienist directing environmental, safety and health programs in the chemical industry for over 26 years, we might expect a new focus on health issues, such as silica. His official position was given at the 17th annual conference for the Voluntary Protection Program Participants Association. Director Henshaw stated, "My principal goal, in my tenure as Assistant Secretary, is to promote the value of safety and health and the value of OSHA and its mission. To be successful OSHA must "sell" if you will, the value of what we do, to our customers and continuously improve our delivery of that value to