BMSA's Safety First! 
April 2016
NAHB Urges Congress to Stop New Silica Dust Rules

The National Association of Home Builders has issued a response to the Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) new silica exposure standards. NAHB Chairman Ed Brady has urged Congress to take steps against the new ruling saying that the new rule will "do great harm to businesses, consumers, and the economy." Appearing before the House Education and Workforce Committee's Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, Brady represented 25 trade group members calling the regulation the following:    
  1. Technologically impracticable
  2. Economically unfeasible
  3. Unworkable in terms of required medical surveillance of construction industry workers
  4. The wrong solution to make the workplace safer

Click here to read more.

 

(Source: ProSales Online) 
  BMSA Can Help You With Your Safety Product Needs!     

From hard hats to work gloves, from safety glasses and ear plugs to red danger flags, BMSA offers quick and hassle-free quotes, orders and timely delivery. For more information on safety products, please contact Jane Gillespie at 800-849-1503 or [email protected].

 
Avoid Distracted Driving Now!   

For many companies in the building material industry, truck drivers are a key part of everyday business. If drivers aren't careful, distracted driving can endanger the driver, passenger and bystander safety. One of the biggest causes of distracted driving is texting. Texting while driving is illegal in all of BMSA's five states and in many states drivers can be ticketed and pay serious fines. Pass these tips along to employees to stop distracted driving.
  • Turn it off and stow it. Turn your phone off or switch it to silent mode. Stow it away so that it's out of reach.
  • Spread the word. Record a message on your phone that tells callers you're driving and will get back to them when you're off the road.
  • Pull over. If you need to make a call, pull over.
  • Use your passengers. Ask a passenger to make the call or respond to a text for you.
  • X the Text. Don't ever text and drive, surf the web or read your email while driving.
  • Know the law. Familiarize yourself with state and local laws before you get in the car.
  • Prepare. If using a GPS device, enter your destination before you start to drive. If you prefer a map or written directions, review them in advance. If you need help while driving, ask a passenger to assist you or pull over to a safe location to review your map/directions.
  • Focus on driving. Refrain from eating, drinking, reading, grooming, smoking and any other activity that provides distraction.
(Source: Governors Highway Safety Association)
Employers' Responsibility Under OSHA's Hazard Communication Rule 
 
By June 1, 2016, employers are required to update any alternative workplace labeling of containers with covered hazardous chemicals, update their hazard communication program as necessary (which includes making all required Safety Data Sheets accessible to all workers), and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards. These are also considered on-going compliance obligations. 

If an employer uses alternative workplace labeling, the labeling must comply with the new HazComm 2012 requirements. Furthermore, if an employer identifies new hazards based on the information found on the new labels and SDSs, the employer must update its hazard communications plan by the June 1, 2016 deadline. Click here to read more. 
 
(Source: NLBMDA)
Calendar of Events

May 4-6: Roundtable 3 (Portland, OR)

May 11: DOT Compliance Webinar

May 16-17: Emerging Leaders Roundtable #1 (Roanoke, VA)

May 18-20: Roundtable 7 (Charlotte, NC)

July 28-31: BMSA's Summer Conference (Virginia Beach, VA)

September 29-30: Leadership Development Roundtable #2 (Roanoke, VA)

October 25-27: NLBMDA ProDealer Industry Summit (Charleston, SC) 
Stay Connected with BMSA! 

PO Box 18667
Charlotte, NC 28218
800-849-1503