OSHA Announced a New Rule to Protect Workers From Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica

On March 24, 2016, OSHA announced a final rule which will protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust. 

What is crystalline silica?  Crystalline silica is a basic component of soil, sand, granite and other minerals.  Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica.  This silica becomes respirable dust when workers chip, cut, drill or grind objects which contain crystalline silica.

What are the hazards of crystalline silica?  There are serious health hazards associated with silica exposures which are demonstrated by the fatalities and disabling illnesses that continue to occur with sand blasters and rock drillers.  Crystalline silica has been classified as a human lung carcinogen.  Merely breathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling or even fatal.  When the dust enters the lungs, it causes the formation of scar tissue, which reduces the lung’s ability to take in oxygen.  There is currently no cure for silicosis.  Silicosis makes an individual more susceptible to lung infections such as tuberculosis.

Where are construction workers exposed to crystalline silica?  Exposure occurs during many different construction activities.  The worst exposures occur during abrasive blasting with sand to remove paint and rust from bridges, tanks, concrete structures and other surfaces.  Other construction activities which can result in severe exposure include:  jackhammering, rock-well drilling, concrete mixing, concrete drilling, brick and concrete block cutting and sawing.

What does the new standard require?   The new rule requires that employers limit workers’ exposure to respirable crystalline silica and to take other steps to protect them.  The rule provides for flexible alternatives and control methods which are set out or the measuring of an employee’s exposure to silica in deciding which dust controls work best to limit those exposures to the permissible exposure limits (PEL) in the work places.

The new rule requires employers to:

• Establish and implement a written exposure control plan which identifies those tasks which expose a worker and methods to protect the worker, which include restricting access to areas where a high exposure 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 every three years to workers who are required by the standard to wear a respirator for 30 or more days a year;
• Train workers on work operations that result in silica exposures and ways to limit exposure; and
• Keep records of workers’ silica exposure and medical exams.

The new OSHA rule will go into effect by June 23, 2017.  If you have questions in regards to this rule and how to comply with it, please do not hesitate to give us a call.