Countertop Manufacturer Faces $1 Million in OSHA Penalties for Alleged Respirable Silica Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced that federal safety investigators had become aware of an employee at a countertop manufacturer in the Chicago area that needed a double lung transplant after suffering accelerated silicosis, an incurable lung disease.

According to DOL, they immediately alerted the company of the potential imminent danger. An inspection by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reportedly found workers exposed to silica levels up to six times greater than permissible limits.

“In this case, in addition to the 31-year-old man that needed a double lung transplant, OSHA shared that his 59-year-old father and co-worker also awaits a silicosis-related lung transplant, and a 47-year-old employee has been treated for unresolved work-related lung disease for more than three years,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The company has been cited by OSHA for dozens of health and safety violations, and the agency has proposed more than $1 million in penalties.”

To protect workers from exposure to respirable silica, OSHA has issued two respirable crystalline silica standards. There is one for construction, and the other is for general industry and maritime.

To help in this effort, EMSL Analytical has laboratories across North America that provide industrial hygiene laboratory 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 companies in compliance with health and safety regulations.

To learn more about testing for 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