Businesses in Puerto Rico Advised of New OSHA Guidance for Enforcement of Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards

This summer, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a compliance directive designed to ensure uniformity in inspection and enforcement procedures when addressing respirable crystalline silica exposures in Puerto Rico, and across the United States, for general industry, maritime and construction.
 
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can cause silicosis, a progressive, disabling and often fatal lung disease. It is also associated with an increased risk for lung infections, lung cancer, emphysema, autoimmune diseases and kidney disease.
 
OSHA began enforcing most provisions of their construction standard in September 2017, with enforcement of the requirements for sample analysis starting in June 2018. Enforcement of most of the general industry and maritime standards began in June 2018, with enforcement of some medical surveillance requirements commencing on June 23, 2020.
 
The new directive provides OSHA compliance safety and health officers with guidance on how to enforce the silica standards’ requirements, including:

• Methods of compliance;
• Table 1 tasks and specified exposure control methods;
• Exposure assessments;
• Housekeeping;
• Respiratory protection;
• Regulated areas;
• Recordkeeping;
• Employee information and training;
• Medical surveillance; and
• Communication of hazards.    

“It’s important that businesses and institutions in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands that have workers that are exposed to respirable crystalline silica adhere to OSHA requirements to safeguard their employees and to avoid fines that can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Our industrial hygiene professionals help to achieve both of these goals by offering occupational exposure testing and air monitoring for crystalline silica and a wide range of other respirable hazards. Our team also provides worksite assessments that involve evaluating engineering controls and personal protective equipment to mitigate these types of exposure risks.”
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their industrial hygiene, air quality, environmental, compliance and 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

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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