In the past three years, the Total Case Incident Rate has been reduced by 36 percent and the Days Away, Restricted and Transfer Rates are 25 percent below the baseline rate. The rate was established by the 2012 Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Average for the Masonry Industry. OSHA and MCA have had a partnership since May 16, 2003.

“Our partnership with the Mason Contractors’ Association of St. Louis demonstrates the positive impact a comprehensive safety and health management system can have when management and labor come together to ensure employee safety in a high-hazard work environment,” said OSHA Area Director Bill McDonald. “The partners will continue to meet on a regular basis and share accomplishments, near misses, and best practices, to assure the continued success of this partnership.”

The partnership will continue to:

• Develop effective safety and health training programs and procedures;
• Identify common construction hazards such as falls, electrical, struck-by, caught-in, and trenching/excavation;­
• Encourage worker participation in employer safety and health programs; and
• Ensure all partnership members’ employees have completed the 10-hour OSHA Outreach Training requirement.

Joined by area masons (seated from left), Mason Contractors Association of St. Louis President Rick Swanson, OSHA St. Louis Area Director Bill McDonald, and Eastern Missouri Laborers’ District Council Business Manager Gary Elliott renew safety alliance.