Brick Manufacturer Faces Costly OSHA Penalties for Exposing Workers to Respirable Crystalline Silica

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced that safety investigators found a brick manufacturer exposed workers to silica respiratory hazards that have the potential to lead to lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease.

According to the DOL, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited the clay brick manufacturer with 11 serious citations and proposed penalties of over $212,000. Some of the specific violations reported include:

• Exposing workers to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica of up to six-and-a-half times the permissible exposure level (PEL).
• Failure to evaluate and implement engineering controls and work practices to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the permissible exposure.
• Failure to provide effective training on crystalline silica to employees exposed over the PEL.
• Neglecting to fit test or provide medical evaluations for workers required to wear respirators.

“There are workers in many occupations that are exposed to respirable crystalline silica on the job,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “In fact, OSHA claims about 2.3 million people in the U.S. are exposed to silica at work. To protect workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica, OSHA has issued two respirable crystalline silica standards. There is one for construction, and the other is for general industry and maritime. As this case illustrates, the penalties can be costly for employers that are alleged to have not protected their workforce.”

To help in this effort, EMSL Analytical has laboratories across North America that provide industrial hygiene testing services, sampling supplies, and air monitoring instruments. They also offer personal protective equipment (PPE), including a wide range of respirators, filters, accessories, and fit testing supplies. These resources protect workers and help to keep employers in compliance with health and safety regulations.

To learn more about testing for crystalline silica or for access to sampling supplies, air monitoring instruments and PPE, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOCs, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail