3/28/2023 0 Comments Breathing zone osha![]() ![]() To ensure that your facility meets OSHA standards, you must know how to evaluate your current air quality and exposure levels. The American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has also created voluntary guidelines for exposure to toxic airborne particulates that are widely seen as best practices for industry. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has exposure guidelines based on scientific evidence of harm that are in many cases more stringent than OSHA requirements. Many manufacturers are looking beyond OSHA minimum standards for better workplace safety and comfort. Companies operating outside of the United States should consult regional, national and local air quality regulations. Manufacturers must be prepared to document exposure levels in their facilities and the mitigation steps they have put in place to control air quality. It’s important to ensure that dust is not able to accumulate in any enclosed area, which can lead to an explosion. ![]() Because many airborne dusts produced by laser cutting are combustible, manufacturers should also be aware of OSHA’s regulations for combustible dusts.PELs are set for each potentially hazardous substance individually manufacturers can find PELs for specific substances under Chemical Sampling Information on the Department of Labor website. These are generally given as a ceiling (meaning concentrations cannot exceed the ceiling level at any time) or as a time weighted average calculated over an 8-hour shift. Fabrication shops involved in laser cutting must keep exposures within permissible exposure limits (PELs) set for general industry. OSHA CFR 1910 Subpart Z details exposure limits for most common airborne contaminants, such as hexavalent chromium, cadmium, aluminum and beryllium.The OSHA General Duty Clause states that employers “shall furnish to each of their employees a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.” Air quality falls under this clause employers must make sure that air is comfortable to breathe and does not create a health or safety risk for workers.manufacturers need to be aware of when it comes to air quality. There are a few different regulations that U.S. That’s why OSHA sets regulations for the control of particulates within manufacturing facilities. ![]() Laser cutting and other kinds of metal fabrication produce dusts that are toxic and often combustible. Here are a few things every laser cutting manufacturer should know about air quality and where to go to learn the rest. While most small and mid-size manufacturers don’t have the luxury of having an industrial hygienist on staff, every facility should have someone who understands how to recognize, evaluate and mitigate common air quality problems.įortunately, you don’t need to get a degree in industrial ventilation to get up to speed on the basics. Air quality is an issue that manufacturers engaged in laser cutting and other dust-intensive processes can’t afford to ignore. ![]()
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