Workers from a wide range of industries in Puerto Rico and across the region are required to wear respirators to protect against airborne hazards, including atmospheres that are oxygen-deficient. On the islands of Puerto Rico, respiratory protection standards for most workers are enforced by the Puerto Rico Occupational Safety and Health Administration (PR OSHA). Federal OSHA enforces it for some not covered by the Puerto Rico State Plan.
Respirators, when used properly, can dramatically help to prevent illnesses and deaths on the job. Recognizing the vital role that respiratory protection plays in Puerto Rico and throughout the rest of the United States, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) annually promotes Respiratory Protection Week. For 2022, the weekly observance takes place from September 6th through the 9th. NIOSH uses this time to share their findings and educational tools to promote proper respiratory protection practices.
Nationally, respiratory protection is one of OSHA's 10 most frequently cited safety and health violations most years. In 2021, it was the second most frequently cited standard, and in 2020, it was ranked third.
“Employers in Puerto Rico are required to protect their workers from airborne hazards that could threaten their health and safety,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Compliance with PR OSHA and Federal OSHA respiratory protection standards not only helps to avert illnesses and deaths, failure to do so can result in costly noncompliance penalties. At Zimmetry, our industrial hygiene and air quality experts help companies, institutions and government agencies identify respiratory hazards so that workers can be properly protected with respirators and other personal protective equipment. We provide consulting, training, and air testing and monitoring services. Respiratory mask fit testing, assessing engineering controls, employee hazard communications, and compliance and management system audits are also available to create a safe work environments for all employees.”
Zimmetry recently sponsored an educational video about Respiratory Protection Week that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/S2bve-BXW78
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their occupational, industrial hygiene, environmental, air quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
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