Masonry Magazine July 2007 Page. 17
of a challenge than I ever thought it would be. However, the small percentage of success stories is remarkable and demonstrates that the time spent on apprenticeship training is a solid investment. Also encouraging our efforts are partnership opportunities with a regional community college and IMI [International Masonry Institute).
Masonry: Your company's website places a strong emphasis on safety. What steps are you taking to ensure safety on job sites?
Huskisson: We have gone from monitoring sites with our own safety officer to outsourcing to a local safety firm, whose representatives randomly visit job sites, make inspections and take videos of the work in process. These videos are then played back to foremen at quarterly management meetings. The results with this system have been more than satisfactory.
Masonry: Your company has won several awards and honors over the years. What is your company doing to achieve this success?
Huskisson: Except the awards for our new office on Angliana Avenue in Lexington, Ky., we usually don't have any design input. So our success is mostly a result of the opportunities that arise when buildings we build are designed by good architects. Fortunately, we work in a region where clients have commissioned the services of nationally and internationally known architectural firms.
Masonry: Looking back over the years, what were some of your most difficult masonry projects, and how did you overcome the challenges those projects posed?
Huskisson: The larger projects with national construction management firms have presented the biggest challenges - they often implement unrealistic schedules, experience late start dates, and demand early completion dates. Through years of experience, we have learned to call attention to these issues, document everything, and keep lines of communication open in order to facilitate a good outcome.
Masonry: What advice would you offer a budding mason contractor?
Huskisson: The most important issue is the people with whom you must work. In order to succeed, you need to build a strong team and never take management issues for granted.
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6' Handle Standard
NEW MASONRY JOINT CLEANER
* 5/8" halfround slotted carbide/ 3/8" cutting slot
One side for vertical/one side for horizontal
* Remove excess mortar from block or brick
* Removes fins and burs from concrete wall form joints
* Less chance for injury while laborers work on scaffold
* Pays for itself in just one day
* Also available: 6 extension handle that extends wall scraper to 11'
* Swivel head adjusts for easy use in difficult areas.
WALL SCRAPER
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CARPAL TUNNEL
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Constructed from lightweight durable aluminum, it features a swivel head for easy use in difficult areas and corners. It has a durable 6-foot powder coated handle. The scraper uses a standard 7" rubbing disc as an abrasive pad. The disc holder is engineered for quick and easy disc changes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: SLIP INDUSTRIES, 115 W. STIEGEL ST, MANHEIM, PA 17545
1-800-722-6339-1-717-666-2139 FAX: 1-877-722-8339 WEBSITE: www.slipindustries.com