Grand Northern Products Adapts To Recent EPA Proposed Changes On Silica Dust Exposure In The Workplace

Grand Northern Products offers alternative blasting media and person protective equipment to comply with new proposed EPA and OSHA standards.

Byron Center, MI (PRWEB) - Grand Northern Products is excited to announce their appreciation for the new proposed EPA and OSHA standards significantly limiting the use of silica sand in abrasive blasting. Grand Northern Products sells a wide variety of safe alternative media blasting products to achieve surface finishing goals while maintaining compliance with OSHA requirements and limiting worker exposure to potentially dangerous substances.

Silica sand is a semi-effective yet very affordable media blasting abrasive, but in response to health concerns, silica exposure limits are being greatly reduced. More than two million workers have been exposed to respirable crystalline silica. When silica sand particles enter the lungs, they penetrate deeply, contributing to lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease. OSHA's new rule reduces the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air and requires employers to use engineering controls to limit worker exposure. According to OSHA, the new regulations will prevent more than 900 cases of silicosis annually.

In response to the new standards, which take effect on June 26, 2016, Grand Northern Products offers alternative blasting media materials such as garnet, Jetmag, aluminum oxide and silicon carbide. In addition, the company offers compliant safety equipment such as CO monitors, respirators and blast hoods. These materials and equipment ensure full compliance with both the EPA and OSHA regulations.

"Grand Northern Products strives to provide safe, effective media blasting materials and products," stated Knowlin Vestal, general manager of Grand Northern Products. "The standards take effect this June, but different industries have different timetables to reach full compliance. We hope that our solutions will help all of our customers quickly and easily reach full compliance."

For more information about silica dangers, new silica provisions and Grand Northern Products, visit the company's website at http://www.grandnorthern.com. Consumers are also welcome to call the company at (616) 583-5000 or stop by the office at 9000 Byron Commerce Drive SW, Byron Center, Mich., 49315.

Grand Northern Products is a leading distributor of surface enhancement technology. The company has been providing finishing solutions and services for over 25 years. With an international clientele, Grand Northern Products has expertise in the equipment, supplies and services involved with finishing operations. Companies in many different industries rely on the quality and service provided by Grand Northern Products.