Project Specifics

The Ardagh Group Glass Division requested that Geosyntec provide employee exposure monitoring services to prepare for compliance with the new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Respirable Silica Final Rule.

Geosyntec Scope of Services

Ardagh Glass has 15 facilities in the United States and wanted to complete monitoring services within a six-month time frame, including the implementation of controls to protect workers where exposure was problematic.

The Final Respirable Silica Rule requires employers to:

• Reduce the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an eight-hour shift
• Use engineering controls to limit worker exposure to the PEL; provide respirators if necessary; limit worker access to high exposure areas; develop a written exposure control plan; offer medical exams to highly exposed workers
• Train workers on silica risks and how to limit exposures
• provide medical exams to monitor highly exposed workers and give employees information about their lung health.

Geosyntec supported Ardagh by measuring silica concentrations to guide engineering controls, work practice controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations consistent with the 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.1053.

Notable Accomplishments

Geosyntec provided exposure monitoring services at all 15 sites within the two-month time frame allowing the facilities sufficient time for corrective actions well before the compliance deadline.

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