Are you prepared for the new OSHA Silica Rule?

September 23rd, 2017 is finally here and OSHA will begin enforcing their new silica rule intended to limit exposure to respirable crystalline silica on projects across the country. We hope you’re ready!  If not, read on we’ve got you covered. Below, we’ve provided a brief overview of the silica rule and the steps you can start taking now to prepare.

Over two million workers are exposed to silica hazards each year. OSHA’s Silica Rule aims to protect those workers.

OSHA Silica Rule Overview

Key provisions of the final rule:

1. Reduces the permissible exposure limit (PEL) by 80% to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50ug/m³).
2. Creates an Action Level (AL) of 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air (25ug/m³) at which point exposure must be monitored to ensure level are not exceeding the PEL.
3. Requires employers to use engineering or administrative controls (water, limit area access, ventilation, etc.) to limit worker exposure to the PEL.
4. Provide medical exams to monitor highly exposed workers and provide information regarding their lung health.
5. Develop and implement a written exposure control plan.
6. Provide, according to the applicable standards, respirators when engineering controls cannot adequately limit exposure.
7. Provides flexibility for small employers to protect workers from silica exposure.

Table 1: Exposure Control Methods

To help employers, OSHA has provided exposure control methods for a variety of activities via Table 1. However, for activities not covered under Table 1 employers will need to measure silica exposures independently or use objective data to protect workers. Check out Table 1 here.

How to Start Preparing for the Silica Rule

Preparing for compliance is a large undertaking. Here are some actionable steps you can take today to begin complying with the rule.

1. Establish a written exposure plan.
2. Designate your competent persons to implement and oversee the exposure plan.
3. Implement integrated water systems or dustless tools into activities.
4. Gather objective and testing data for activities not covered under Table 1.
5. Restrict worker access to high exposure areas.
6. Establish proper housekeeping practices to reduce exposures.
7. Train supervisors and general field workers on the dangers of silica exposure.
8. Offer medical exams for workers who wear respirators more than 30 days per year.
9. Establish record keeping for your silica exposure plan and medical exams.

Complying with the silica rule may seem daunting but if you’ve already been preparing it shouldn’t be a nightmare.  Pick one of the actionable steps and start there and then work your way through the rest.

Start Training with Safety Foundry

Lucky for you, step number 7 from the above list is easy. Start training your general field workers with us. Our Silica Awareness safety training course introduces workers to the new silica rule and educates them on the dangers of silica exposure.  Find out more here. As an added bonus we are offering 50% off when you use the promotion code: silica2017 at checkout.  Hurry, as this offer ends November 30, 2017.

Silica Infographic Update

For more information regarding silica updates be sure to check out our recent OSHA Silica Updates – Infographic we posted last month.  Feel free to download and print it out to share with your workers.