OSHA's silica construction standard is already in effect. Is your crew protected?
It’s estimated that more than 2.3 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to dust containing crystalline silica — with nearly 90% of those workers employed in the construction industry. According to OSHA, in 2014 more workers died from silicosis than from being caught in or crushed by collapsing materials, such as in trench and structure collapses.*
* OSHA Frequently Asked Questions: Respirable Crystalline Silica Rule
The new US OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 regulation requires contractors to control their employees’ exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Highlights of the new regulation include:
Resources:
Compliance Summary Checklist (PDF, 165 KB)
Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction (PDF, 573 KB)
Task-based PPE Suggestions for Silica in the Construction Industry (PDF, 376 KB)
Silica in Construction - Regulation Update (PDF, 518 KB)
See full regulation at: https://www.osha.gov/silica
Technical Bulletin - Respiratory Protection for Stone Countertop Workers (PDF, 91 KB)
This 40-minute webcast features construction industrial hygienist Don Garvey explaining OSHA’s new construction silica regulation and gives some thoughts on what it means for construction safety managers.
This is only a brief overview. Consult the full OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1926.1153 before starting any silica work.
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