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OSHA to Enhance Enforcement of Pre-COVID Silica Dust Control Regulations

In Dust Control, EnviroKleen®, Guided Self Apply Dust Control, Industrial Facilities, Road & Surface Management by Steve Vitale

In 2018, OSHA released its latest set of silica dust control regulations geared towards reducing workers’ exposure. OSHA became concerned when they received 116 infractions, 80% of which were deemed severe, within the beginning of the same year. OSHA noted these serious violations were compounded by numerous other infringements. Taking in the reality of industrial yard spaces, the agency decided …

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A Solution to America’s Crumbling Infrastructure — Agriculture

In Gravel Roads, Road & Surface Management, Roads, Unpaved Roads by Steve Vitale

Research from the 2020 TRIP report discusses America’s crumbling infrastructure in agriculture and the lack of funding available to repair the network. The rural economy is heavily dependent on what the TRIP report refers to as “goods production.” This includes farming and ranching. The report also covers forestry and fishing, mining and energy extraction, and manufacturing. Agriculture accounts for 11% of earnings …

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New Samitron Metrics Prove Effectiveness of Midwest’s Soil-Sement for Unpaved Road Maintenance

In Gravel Roads, Road & Surface Management, Roads, Soil-Sement®, Unpaved Roads by Steve Vitale

Another study, another success. Midwest’s Soil-Sement passed with flying colors after extensive testing was completed in Scottsdale, Arizona on five miles of unpaved roads, at five different sites. The test showed that unpaved roads, in fact, can work just as well as paved roads without the high installation cost to communities. And better yet, unpaved road maintenance can cost a …

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A Scientific Approach to Industrial Dust Control Programs

In Dust Control, Guided Self Apply Dust Control, Industrial Facilities, Road & Surface Management, Safety by Steve Vitale

For industrial sites like steel mills, precast operations, mines and quarries who are required to operate with strict air quality permits (Title V Air Quality Permits or OSHA’s Silica Rule), managing respirable, fugitive dust from unpaved areas is a necessary battle. The cost of not implementing a successful industrial dust control program is more than just regulatory fines, though: it includes …

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A Solution to America’s Crumbling Infrastructure — Manufacturing

In Gravel Roads, Road & Surface Management, Roads, Unpaved Roads by Steve Vitale

The Impact of Crumbling Roads on the Manufacturing Industry Manufacturing continues to play a critical role in rural economies. Despite an overall reduction in manufacturing jobs between 2001 and 2015 (a period that included two recessions), manufacturing continues to provide more jobs and higher earnings in rural communities than many other sectors, such as agriculture and mining. It is also more important …