Puerto Rican Companies Turn to Zimmetry Environmental for Compliance with OSHA’s New Crystalline Silica Rule

In March, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued their highly anticipated final rule to protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica. OSHA estimates that the rule will save over 600 lives and prevent more than 900 new cases of silicosis each year, once its effects are fully realized. The Final Rule is projected to provide net benefits of about $7.7 billion, annually.
 
Crystalline silica is a basic component of soil, sand, granite and many other minerals.  Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica.  Cristobalite and tridymite are two other forms of crystalline silica.  All three forms may become respirable size particles when workers chip, cut, drill or grind objects that contain crystalline silica.
 
Crystalline silica has been classified as a human lung carcinogen and silicosis is the name of a disease of the lungs that results from breathing dust that contains the material. Inhaling the dust can cause fibrosis or scar tissue formations in the lungs that reduce the lung’s ability to work. There is no cure for this disease so prevention is the only answer.
 
“Countless workers in Puerto Rico involved with construction and other industries are exposed to crystalline silica in the air they breathe,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “This new OSHA rule will significantly reduce the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8-hour shift. It will also require engineering controls, worker training and respirators for use when engineering controls cannot adequately limit worker exposure.”
 
Zimmetry Environmental is prepared to help companies comply with the new OSHA rule immediately. They offer testing, monitoring, training and comprehensive assessments of engineering controls for companies in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean.
 
To learn more about Zimmetry’s crystalline silica services or other industrial hygiene, air quality, environmental and compliance testing or consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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