Report of the MCAA Safety Committee

Words: Zach AckleyThe Committee has had a very busy 2014. The committee spent a substantial part of early 2014 working on silica rule testimony and comment. The committee was very active with the CISC. We are waiting to hear back from OSHA on the release of the final rule which is not expected until sometime likely in late 2015 at the earliest.

Safety Newsletter

The Committee has helped produce 12 newsletters this past year. These newsletters are short quick newsletters sent to member firms. The purpose is really to re-focus contractors on the importance of safety and give another resource to safety folks in our member firms.

Safety Forum

The Committee held six safety forums throughout the year. These forums were developed to share information in an open forum after a short topic for the month is discussed. The forums are designed to have a sharing of information among contractors across the country. We are always looking for people to spearhead different forums so if you would like to volunteer, please contact the office.

Safety Awards

The MCAA gave our annual safety awards to member companies at our mid-year meeting in Milwaukee. Top safety performers were presented with awards at our mid-year Board meeting.

Safety Consultant Retained

The MCAA retained the services of Jackson Lewis a law firm from Washington DC who spearheaded our silica coalition to work with us on safety issues in the year ahead. They are on 12 hour contract and we can add hours at a reduced hourly rate as needed. They will help consult us through legal issues related to safety.

Safety Consultant II

The MCAA is working with Strategic Safety Consulting to develop a network of program offerings around the country to include OSHA 10 hour course, forklift Train the Trainer Courses, Foreman/Superintendent Training (Safety Coordinator) and other programs. They will work with us to expand our safety offerings outside of our wall bracing program.

Networking

The committee has been busy addressing individual requests and inquiries. Whether it be citation advice, implementing a safety program or any other item related to safety, the committee is positioned to help other safety representatives and often spends hours on the phone assisting each other. This is often an overlooked service of the committee, but one of it’s more important ones.
Smarter Time Tracking on the Jobsite: Introducing Geofence Notifications and Logging in CrewTracks
April 2026

For masonry contractors, time tracking is more than just a payroll task; it’s a key part of managing crews, understanding job costs, and keeping projects running smoothly. Yet many companies still struggle with one common challenge: making sure employees

Erin Koets
MAP Partner
Read More
Fechino Files: Diesels Below 32 Degrees
April 2026

I am guessing that if you are reading this, then you experienced the cold, late-January spell that took over most of the country. The cold weather has many effects on the operations of a masonry contractor, from job shutdowns to equipment starting issues,

Steven Fechino
Fechino Files
Read More
Outreach Outlook: Building Momentum Across the Southern Region
April 2026

As April arrives, the pace of our outreach and workforce efforts across the Southern Region reaches a new level of intensity. This is the time of year when our programs, partners, and state collaborators all accelerate at once. SkillsUSA competitions are

Conner Birdsong
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Marvelous Masonry: Elbphilharmonie
April 2026

Most people know the Elbphilharmonie for its glass façade and dramatic roofline. From a distance, that’s what defines the skyline in Hamburg’s HafenCity district. But for masonry contractors and suppliers, the real story starts at the base.

Cass Stern
Marvelous Masonry
Read More