Construction Industry Groups File Suit Over OSHA Silica Rule

Words: Dan KamysEight construction industry organizations filed a petition for review of the final crystalline silica rule by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit today. Petitioning groups included: Mississippi Road Builders’ Association, American Subcontractors Association of Texas, Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Louisiana Associated General Contractors, Associated Masonry Contractors of Texas, Distribution Contractors Association, Mechanical Contractors Associations of Texas and Texas Association of Builders. The affiliated national organizations of these groups—the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, American Subcontractors Association, Associated Builders and Contractors, the Associated General Contractors of America, Mason Contractors Association of America, Mechanical Contractors Association of America and National Association of Home Builders—will move to join the petition. The construction industry raised numerous concerns regarding OSHA’s proposal, but the agency failed to address many of these issues when promulgating the final rule. In particular, the industry presented substantial evidence that OSHA’s proposed permissible exposure limit (PEL) was technologically and economically infeasible. The petitioning groups are concerned that the agency failed to take into account this evidence and moved forward with the same infeasible PEL in the final rule. This and other final rule provisions display a fundamental misunderstanding of the real world of construction. The construction industry petitioners continue to be active participants in the rulemaking process and are dedicated to promoting healthy and safe construction jobsites.  
Source: Mason Contractors Association of America. For additional information visit www.masoncontractors.org/silica.
Why Belden Brick Has Lasted 140 Years
August 2025

‘Why We’ve Lasted 140 Years’ How The Belden Brick Company’s approach to manufacturing excellence continues to solve modern brick masonry challenges Ask masonry contractor Jason Hauer what separates good brick from great brick, and he’ll tell you about h

Achieving Consistent Mortar Mixes: Key to Successful Masonry Projects
August 2025

Consistency is the cornerstone of quality masonry. A uniform mortar mix is critical for the structural integrity and durability of any project, from a simple brick wall to an intricate stone design. When mortar lacks consistency, it can lead to weak joint

What’s In Your Data Backup Strategy?
August 2025

Your business handles plenty of critical data, and losing it could result in operational downtime, financial losses, and a damaged reputation. For businesses owners, a robust data backup strategy can help you stay resilient and competitive in the fuel mar

Facial Recognition for Masonry Companies
August 2025

Masonry companies face a unique set of challenges. Managing a mobile workforce across multiple job sites requires precision and accountability. CrewTracks recognizes this need and has introduced an innovative facial recognition feature designed to streaml