Cinnaminson, NJ, October 28th, 2016
Earlier this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that a New York manufacturing company was facing over $100,000 in proposed fines for exposing workers to unsafe airborne levels of cancer-causing chemicals.
After a complaint was filed, OSHA initiated an inspection and cited the company for 17 serious violations. Included in these violations, OSHA found the employer:
- Exposed employees to airborne cadmium, lead, nickel and respirable crystalline silica beyond permissible exposure limits.
- Allowed airborne chromium, copper fume, iron oxide and respirable crystalline silica exposure among employees in sandblasting and welding operations to exceed permissible exposure limits.
- Did not train painters to properly use or store respirators.
Exposure to these types of materials can cause a host of health concerns. For example, cadmium and its compounds are highly toxic and exposure is known to cause cancer and health concerns targeting the body's cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, neurological, reproductive and respiratory systems. Respirable crystalline silica dust is hazardous when inhaled as these particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing disabling and sometimes fatal lung diseases, including silicosis and lung cancer.
“Companies that work with these types of chemical exposures need to provide a safe environment for their workers,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This includes training, personal protective equipment and monitoring the work environment to ensure employees are not being exposed to airborne levels of these materials over permissible exposure limits.”
Helping companies protect their workers from airborne chemical hazards and to avoid costly OSHA fines are the industrial hygiene experts at EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL offers a wide range of industrial hygiene testing services, sampling equipment and supplies, monitoring tools and personal protective equipment.
To learn more about EMSL’s industrial hygiene services and testing equipment, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 40 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, VOC’s, 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.