BIA's mission is to promote clay brick with the goal of increasing its market share and to safeguard the industry. In support of the second part of our mission, BIA monitors and works to positively influence governmental action.

Environmental Stewardship and Employee Health & Safety Award Competition
Winners of the Environmental Stewardship and Employee Health & Safety Award Competition were announced at Brick Show 2007 in Orlando, Florida on April 1st.  These contests serve as the latest manifestation of the brick industry's commitment to safeguarding the environment, as well as the safety and health of brick industry workers.

MACT

In this area, the key issue facing the brick industry is the EPA's rulemaking as it implements the MACT (Maximum Achievable Control Technology) rulings. BIA has developed a three-pronged approach to influencing the MACT rulemaking:

• Work with EPA officials in Washington to elevate our issues and ensure that EPA is not lacking any data to address these issues.
• Work with legislators to assist in bringing our position to the EPA as well as potentially offering legislative relief.
• Prepare a legal brief to be filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. if our efforts with the EPA are ultimately unsuccessful.

BIA Members are being kept informed of progress through the monthly Brick News and postings in the member-only section of this website. Members with questions are encouraged to contact one of the BIA MACT Task Force members or Susan Miller, BIA's Vice President of Environment, Health and Safety, at 703.674.1545 / smiller@bia.org for more information. 

Environment, Health & Safety

BIA has upgraded the degree to which it invests in programs in the areas of environment, health and safety. BIA's placement of the Brick Industry Safety Advisory Compendium for Brick Manufacturers and its companion, Brick Industry Safety Advisory Compendium for Brick Distributors, onto the industry's website is only the most recent example of this commitment.    

Additionally, BIA has posted Guidance for OSHA-Mandated Training Programs, a checklist of OSHA-mandated training programs, for members' information. This list has been collaboratively developed with the input of several members of the Brick Industry Association's committee on Environment, Health and Safety (EH&S).