September 2016 Executive Director’s Blog

executive directors blog

Clockwise: Members attend the 2015 CSSGA Networking event; August 23 Industry Tour attendees at the Frei & Sons Quarry; Todd Ohlheiser testifies to MSHA; Staff and board members at the 2015 CSSGA Networking Event; David Hagerman welcomes Frank Olivieri of Meyvn Global to the CSSGA; Attendees of the August 23 Industry Tour’s Lunch & Learn at Martin Marietta’s facilities.

Hello CSSGA members.  Here is what’s going on at your CSSGA trade association.

As you know, safety is very important with those in our industry.  With this in mind, we continue to interact with MSHA in order to provide input to them on how to continually improve safety.  As I mentioned last month, I testified at the public hearing in Arlington, VA to provide firsthand information on the proposed ruling regarding workplace exams.  While we are very supportive of new ways to keep miners safe, CSSGA believes the currently proposed rules are overreaching and unnecessary to improve safety.  The public comment period has been extended from September 6th, to September 30th.  With this in mind, it will be important to everyone to send comments to MSHA on this issue.  We will work with NSSGA and have an Action Alert available in early September for you to contact MSHA.

Another important part of what we do is interact with regulatory and elected officials throughout the state.  With this in mind we again conducted the CSSGA Industry Tour on August 23rd.  This tour is meant to educate everyone on the importance of our industry, and show officials firsthand what happens in our aggregate mines.  I want to thank all those who participated, and especially Ben Frei and Al Frei, Jr., of Albert Frei & Sons for the site tour; David Hagerman with Martin Marietta for the use of their downtown facility and presenting the CSSGA industry overview; and Tom Peterson of CAPA for hosting this event in cooperation with CSSGA and CRMCA.

Lastly, I want to again remind everyone of our Fall Networking Event scheduled for September 20th at the Colorado Mining Exchange in Colorado Springs.  This is a great way to interact with both producer and associate members, as well as elected officials.  Register today!  View photos from last year’s event on our Facebook page. Thanks to the following sponsors for supporting this year’s event:

4 Rivers Equipment

Bestway Concrete

Elrus Aggregate Systems

Martin Marietta

Tetra Tech

Be safe out there and let us know how we can help your business.  Thank you.

Todd R. Ohlheiser

Executive Director