On June 23, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) final rule regarding exposure to respirable crystalline silica will go into effect. The aim of the rule is to curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America's workers. There are two standards: one for Construction and one for General Industry and Maritime.

Employers have one year to comply with the new rule, and OSHA has unveiled a number of resources to help with compliance. A web site (www.silica-safe.org) has an online, interactive “Create-a-Plan” tool that allows employers to create their required written plan and be sure it is in compliance. Once completed, the plan can be emailed, downloaded, or printed to keep on record. The site also offers manuals, talks, videos, presentations, and handouts for communicating the rule with employees.

This week, Colorado Green NOW shines a light on The ELITE Award for Irrigation Management, which was awarded to Timberline Landscaping for their work at Oracle America in Colorado Springs. The success of the project is due to a committed group of like-minded people from three organizations: Colorado Springs Utilities, Oracle and Timberline.

Timberline achieved these goals for Oracle through low-water-use renovation projects and irrigation renovations on their property. Oracle, which is continually striving to be more sustainable and to lessen water use, was impressed by Timberline’s sustainable thinking and had been impressed by the company’s work on other area properties.