OSHA's Final Rule to Protect Workers from Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica
The dust won't settle until all industries are compliant with the new silica standard!
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a final rule to curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America's workers by limiting their exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The rule is comprised of two standards, one for Construction and one for General Industry and Maritime.
Of all the workers exposed to silica, 2 million of them are construction workers. OSHA's new rule will save nearly 600 lives and prevent more than 900 new cases of silicosis each year.
Below is a list of some of the main industries affected by silica:
The construction industry is already required to meet all obligations (except methods of sample analysis) according to the OSHA silica standard - as of September 23, 2017. Employers are required to comply with the methods of sample analysis by June 23, 2018. Both standards contained in the final rule took effect on June 23, 2016, after which industries have one to five years to comply with most requirements, based on the schedule below.
For all operations in general industry and maritime, other than hydraulic fracturing operations in the oil and gas industry, employers must comply with:
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Per OSHA, as the employer, you are required to post signs at all entrances to regulate areas that bear the following legend: DANGER RESPIRABLE CRYSTALLINE SILICA MAY CAUSE CANCER CAUSES DAMAGE TO LUNGS WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY
Please note: While the non-regulated worded products are available, they’re really considered now as ‘supplemental’ signs.
Resources:
*Remind your workers to wear respiratory protection when working with silica.
Ensure all employees are well-aware of the seriousness of silica dust and understand the required PPE to wear in specific areas.
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