Customer Service

 Customer Survey

LABConnect™ - Online Results & More

Press Releases at EMSL

Category Press Release
Publish Date 3/18/2016
Author Paul Cochrane
Title Washington Company Fined for Failure to Protect Workers from Exposure to Silica
Introduction EMSL Analytical provides testing services for crystalline silica, including alpha-quartz, cristobalite, tridymite and amorphous silica.

Seattle, WA, March 18th, 2016

Recently, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries cited a Vancouver company for failing to protect workers from exposure to silica dust and other health hazards associated with stone slab grinding. The citation included multiple violations and totaled over $250,000.

Violations included failing to use feasible controls to reduce employee exposure to silica dust, not developing a written respiratory protection program to protect employees from inhaling silica dust, failing to provide fit testing for workers required to wear full-face respirators, and other serious occupational issues.

Occupational exposure to crystalline silica can occur during workplace operations that involve cutting, sawing, drilling and crushing of concrete, brick, block, rock and stone products. Processes historically associated with high rates of silicosis include sandblasting, sand-casting foundry operations, mining, tunneling, cement cutting and demolition, masonry work and granite cutting. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), silica exposure remains a serious threat to nearly 2 million U.S. workers, including more than 100,000 workers in high risk jobs.

“Silicosis is the name of the disease that impacts the lungs due to breathing dust containing crystalline silica particles,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Crystalline silica has been classified as a human lung carcinogen. Since there is no cure for this disease, prevention is the only answer. At EMSL, we help companies comply with regulations and support their efforts to protect workers from exposure through testing services for crystalline silica and other potentially hazardous materials.”

EMSL provides air and bulk sample analyses using NIOSH Method 7500, NIOSH Method 7501 and OSHA Method ID-142. They also recently sponsored an educational video about silicosis and crystalline silica that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/gLfsdhB2bz8.

To learn more about crystalline silica testing services or other environmental, occupational, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 

Atlanta, GA (LAB 07) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-1Baton Rouge, LA (LAB 25) - NVLAP Lab Code 200375-0Beltsville, MD (LAB 19) - NVLAP Lab Code 200293-0Boston, MA (LAB 13) - NVLAP Lab Code 101147-0Buffalo, NY (LAB 14) - NVLAP Lab Code 200056-0Carle Place, NY (LAB 06) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-10Charlotte, NC (LAB 41) - NVLAP Lab Code 200841-0Chicago, IL (LAB 26) - NVLAP Lab Code 200399-0Cinnaminson, NJ (LAB List in Description) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-0Dallas, TX (LAB 11) - NVLAP Lab Code 600111-0Denver, CO (LAB 22) - NVLAP Lab Code 200828-0EMSL Canada - Calgary, AB (LAB 65) - NVLAP Lab Code 500100-0EMSL Canada - Edmonton, AB (LAB 50) - NVLAP Lab Code 600321-0EMSL Canada - Markham, ON (LAB 66) - NVLAP Lab Code 600317-0EMSL Canada - Montreal, QC (LAB 68) - NVLAP Lab Code 201052-0EMSL Canada - Ottawa, ON (LAB 67) - NVLAP Lab Code 201040-0EMSL Canada - Toronto, ON (LAB 55) - NVLAP Lab Code 200877-0EMSL Canada - Vancouver, BC (LAB 69) - NVLAP Lab Code 201068-0Fort Lauderdale, FL (LAB 56) - NVLAP Lab Code 500085-0Houston, TX (LAB 15) - NVLAP Lab Code 102106-0Huntington Beach, CA (LAB 33) - NVLAP Lab Code 101384-0Indianapolis, IN (LAB 16) - NVLAP Lab Code 200188-0Kernersville, NC (LAB 02) - NVLAP Lab Code 102104-0Meriden, CT (LAB 24) - NVLAP Lab Code 200700-0Miami, FL (LAB 17) - NVLAP Lab Code 200204-0Minneapolis, MN (LAB 35) - NVLAP Lab Code 200019-0New York City, NY (LAB 03) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-9Ontario, California (San Bernadino County / Inland Empire) (LAB 71) - NVLAP Lab Code 600239-0Orlando, FL (LAB 34) - NVLAP Lab Code 101151-0Phoenix, AZ (LAB 12) - NVLAP Lab Code 200811-0Piscataway, NJ (LAB 05) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-2Plymouth Meeting, PA (LAB 18) - NVLAP Lab Code 200699-0Raleigh, NC (LAB 29) - NVLAP Lab Code 200671-0Rochester, NY (LAB 53) - NVLAP Lab Code 600183-0San Diego, CA (LAB 43) - NVLAP Lab Code 200855-0San Leandro, CA (LAB 09) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-3Santa Clara, CA (LAB 47) - NVLAP Lab Code 600318-0Seattle, WA (LAB 51) - NVLAP Lab Code 200613-0South Pasadena, CA (LAB 32) - NVLAP Lab Code 200232-0South Portland, ME (LAB 62) - NVLAP Lab Code 500094-0St. Louis, MO (LAB 39) - NVLAP Lab Code 200742-0Tampa, FL (LAB 93) - NVLAP Lab Code 600215-0
Sorry, this function is disabled.