In April 2017, a cut stone and stone product manufacturer located in Colorado requested Colorado State University’s On-Site Health and Safety Consultation services to ensure they would be in compliance with OSHA’s new silica standard. The company requested a full service visit and also asked for an industrial hygienist to perform sampling for silica and noise. Sampling showed employees above the action level for noise. The consultant also identified possible areas that could be of concern under the new silica standard.

The safety and health consultants helped the employer establish tools and programs to comply with OSHA standards, including the following:

• silica containment,
• hearing conservation,
• crane inspection forms,
• forklift inspection forms,
• hazard communication program,
• worker air and noise monitoring,
• lockout/tagout,
• program documentation, and
• health and safety training.

As a company that prioritizes worker health and safety, it followed the recommendations provided by the consultants. The company also used the Consultation report to assist during its periodic self-inspections.

In November 2019, OSHA enforcement opened a planned inspection at the establishment under OSHA’s Site-Specific Targeting program. Because of the technical expertise and services provided by the Colorado Consultation program, the employer was well prepared for its enforcement inspection and did not receive any citations.

The Health and Safety Manager at the site followed up with Colorado Consultation and stated, “Thanks again for the help two years ago and we are looking forward to having you here again. Keep up the great work! You are definitely making a difference out there. Let me know if you need any more information. Yours in safety. ”

The OSHA On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, with priority given to high hazard worksites. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards and how to fix them, provide advice for compliance with OSHA standards, train and educate workers, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs. On-Site Consultation services are separate from OSHA enforcement efforts and do not result in penalties or citations. However, employers must agree to correct any serious or imminent danger hazards identified in a timely manner. To locate the OSHA On-Site Consultation program nearest you, call 800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit https://www.osha.gov/Consultation.