USE OF POWER SAWS AND GRINDERS. Employers agree to comply with all new and existing health and Safety regulations. The Union and the Employers agree to jointly take steps to notify all signatory contractors and the union members of all new and existing health and safety regulations.
USE OF POWER SAWS AND GRINDERS. In order to protect the health and safety of employees against the ill-effects of silicosis and other respiratory diseases, the dry cutting of masonry units by means of handheld gas powered or electrical, portable “chop saws” and “Skil saws”, and the dry grinding of masonry materials shall be prohibited on all masonry projects. Employees engaged in wet cutting masonry products will be furnished elbow length gloves, an apron and goggles. No employee shall operate a wet saw unless provided with a wooden platform on which to stand and the saw is properly grounded. The only exception to this provision will be when the Union and the employer determine that the use of water is not feasible. When such tasks are identified, the employer must ensure that engineering and work practice controls are in place to control the dust; such as a vacuum with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter or another dust control system. Respirators should only be used primary source of protection if other engineering and work practice controls are not feasible. When respirators are used, in accordance with OSHA regulations, employers must provide workers with full-face respirators as part of a complete respiratory protection program that includes the proper selection of respiratory cartridges, and training and fit-testing to ensure that the worker is able to wear a respirator. Additionally, in the event the Union and the employer determine that dry cutting or grinding is necessary, the contractor agrees to perform periodic air monitoring to ensure that silica exposure levels do not exceed the OSHA permissible limits.
USE OF POWER SAWS AND GRINDERS. To protect the health and safety of employees against the ill effects of respiratory diseases, the dry cutting of masonry units by means of hand-held, gas powered or electrical, portable “chop saws”, skill saws and the dry grinding or masonry materials shall be prohibited on masonry projects, effective June 1, 2001. Contractors shall use the wet cutting of masonry units whenever feasibly possible. Employees engaged in the wet cutting of masonry products will be furnished elbow length gloves, boots, an apron and goggles. No employee shall operate a wet saw unless the saw is properly grounded and the employee is provided with a wooden platform on which to stand.
