OSHA’s new Silica Standard Goes into Effect September 23

Here’s what you need to know about this new silica standard for construction.

By Karen Edwards, Editor.

According to OSHA, about two million construction workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in their workplaces. The new silica standard is meant to protect these workers from developing lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease. OSHA estimates that the new standard will save over 600 lives and prevent 900 new cases of silicosis each year.

Key provisions of the standard:

• Reduces the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8-hour shift.
• Requires employers to: use engineering controls (such as water or ventilation) to limit worker exposure to the PEL; provide respirators when engineering controls cannot adequately limit exposure; limit worker access to high exposure areas; develop a written exposure control plan, offer medical exams to highly exposed workers, and train workers on silica risks and how to limit exposures.
• Provides medical exams to monitor highly exposed workers and gives them information about their lung health.
• Provides flexibility to help employers — especially small businesses — protect workers from silica exposure.

OSHA expects contractors to:

• Establish and implement a written exposure control plan that identifies tasks that involve exposure and methods used to protect workers, including procedures to restrict access to work areas where high exposures may occur.
• Designate a competent person to implement the written exposure control plan.
• Restrict housekeeping practices that expose workers to silica where feasible alternatives are available.
• Offer medical exams—including chest X-rays and lung function tests—every three years for workers who are required by the standard to wear a respirator for 30 or more days per year.
• Train workers on work operations that result in silica exposure and ways to limit exposure.
• Keep records of workers’ silica exposure and medical exams.

Contractors not in compliance with the standard could be subject to a fine of $12,675 for each violation with the same fine each day for failure to abate.

Download the OSHA Fact Sheet for Construction for more information on the standard.