Silica dust testing

The question is not if, the question is when. Silica dust testing will be part of our business day, probably very soon. We need to stay informed and be proactive, it will be way less painful. The truth of the matter is if we are proactive there are many benefits. Our group will spear head a well orchestrated initiative to prepare its members to be in the lead on this issue.

With the onslaught of attorneys extorting money from our insurance companies in silicosis cases and a 1999 IOSH report indicating the dimensional stone industry has a 50% higher incident illness known as silicosis, OSHA will be testing your factory for dangerous levels of air born silica. Already OSHA’s Allentown, Pennsylvania office has implemented what they refer to as a local emphasis program (LEP) to inspect all dimensional stone fabricators and test air born silica levels.

As an elected delegate to the most recent White House Conference for Small Business I had a minor role in convincing OSHA of the benefits in helping business comply with regulations rather than hitting them over the head with a big stick. This idea is demonstrated in remarks of Joseph A. Dear, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, before the U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee. “We will now measure our success as an agency by our success in making real safety and health improvements, such as identifying and abating hazards and reducing the number of injuries and illnesses in the workplace. As an example of how OSHA is focusing on results instead of red tape, OSHA no longer cites employers who have failed to put up the required OSHA poster, we simply give them a poster”. OSHA has a vested interest in assisting us in implementing procedures to verify our conformity and has demonstrated a willingness do so. By our direct involvement and a proactive initiative we will be able to influence the cost of testing and significantly reduce or eliminate the expense of fines associated with silica issues.

The proper initiative will demonstrate to our employees the value we place on there health and general welfare. If we where to prepare a press release to our community papers we would see a positive response on the community level. Other benefits will be a positive relationship with OSHA and a clear message to our insurers that we have an elevated social conscious and are prepared to be a proactive force in American Industry.

We will be contacting OSHA to facilitate conversation regarding a national program that will enable us to take the lead on the silica in the work place issue. Further information on controlling silica in the work place can be obtained at http://www.osha.gov/Silica/it69a.html