September 14, 2005 12:58 PM CDT

Training of OSHA Field Inspectors

By Rashod R. Johnson, P.E.

As a part of our MCAA/OSHA Alliance, we have started planning a pilot program of training OSHA compliance officers and officials on the best practices of the masonry industry. This pilot program will be held in November of this year in St. Louis in conjunction with the St. Louis MCA.

What we hope to achieve from this program is an opportunity for selected representatives of our industry to train OSHA Field Inspectors and officials on how we conduct our business, how we provide safety programs for our personnel, and why our industry has certain exemptions (such as overhand bricklaying, not using harnesses on scaffolding, why we can't clear materials off of scaffolding at the end of every shift and why we don't need to erect scaffolding on both sides of a block wall when grouting). OSHA will then have an opportunity to discuss with us what they look for in our industry with regards to safety. If the pilot works effectively, we will expand the program to all regions.

This will be an extremely effective program is minimizing interpretation among OSHA inspectors who cite contractors, causing us to have to expend tremendous resources fighting frivolous situations. Our Director of Engineering, Rashod Johnson, is spearheading this program.

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About the Author

Rashod R. Johnson, P.E., is president of The Roderick Group in Chicago. He is the former Director of Engineering for the Mason Contractors Association of America and currently serves as a technical consultant to the association.