THE CONSTRUCTION STANDARD

What does the new Silica Rule mean for you?

Find out here.

 

 

Employers can either use a control method laid out in Table 1* of the construction standard, or they can measure workers’ exposure to silica and independently decide which dust controls work best to limit exposures to the Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) in their workplaces.

 

 

 

 

See How Much You Spend On Dust

The Standards Necessary Requirements

 

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 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.

 

 

Where the Standard Does Not Apply

The standard does not apply where exposure will remain low under any foreseeable condition; for example, when only performing tasks such as mixing mortar; pouring concrete footers, slab foundation and foundation walls; and removing concrete form work.

 

Additional information on OSHA’s silica rule can be found at www.osha.gov/silica.

To locate the OSHA On-site Consultation Program nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).