USG Corp. is raising awareness around Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s updated standards for silica dust exposure, and offers commercial contractors and construction organizations a path to compliance with the aid of USG Sheetrock Brand Dust Control Joint Compound.
The OSHA rule substantially alters the employer’s obligation to protect their workers from respirable crystalline silica exposure, reducing the permissible exposure limit (PEL) from 250 to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8-hour shift.
“Commercial jobsites can have a large amount of dust due to the nature of construction work,” said Joseph Adcock, product manager, Surfaces at USG.
Dust Control Joint Compound incorporates a patented technology that can help contractors with an easier path to comply with the new OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 Respirable Crystalline Silica regulation, because the dust control may be considered an engineering control under OSHA and NIOSH regulation.
The joint compound creates less mess and offers contractors faster cleanup. It does this by binding up fine-sanding residue to form heavier particles that fall to the floor, helping reduce the amount of silica-laden dust floating in the air. Accordingly, contractors do not need to wet or vacuum sand to suppress dust. Additional benefits include:
• Contractors may not need to carry out industrial hygiene testing; an independent assessment of the product has shown it produces levels of total and respirable airborne dust below OSHA’s new permissible exposure limits (PEL).
• While several factors must be considered, such as the size of a workspace or level of air exchange, the Dust Control Joint Compound can be an ideal choice for use in environments where cleanliness and indoor air quality are crucial, like schools, hospitals or large office spaces.
• The product has low-shrinkage and only requires two coats when used over metal.
USG Sheetrock Brand Dust Control Joint Compound is available now through distributors and retailers. For more information about Brand Dust Control Joint Compound please visit usg.com/dustcontrol.
