SILICA
SILICA CONSULTING SERVICES
Each year more than 300 US workers die from silicosis and thousands more are diagnosed with lung disease. Exposures to respirable crystalline silica dust can occur during normal construction and demolition activities. Silica is a common mineral found in certain types of rocks and sand and used in the manufacture or application of numerous construction materials such as concrete or masonry applications, and granite and marble. Working with these materials is the primary source for exposure to silica in the work place.
Federal and Cal-OSHA have issued NEW Silica Standards (29 CFR 1926.1153 and 8 CCR Section 1532.3), which employers are required to comply with as of June 23, 2017, however enforcement of the new standards was delayed until September 23, 2017. The NEW Silica rule reduces the Silica Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and Action Level (AL) from 100 and 50 ug/m3 to 50 and 25 ug/m3, respectively. The New rule requires employees to be trained on the health hazards associated with Silica, specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to Silica; specific measures employers have to implement to protect employees including engineering controls, work practices and respirators (PPE), medical requirements and the contents of the OSHA Silica Rule.
Silica Dust Control and Compliance Plan Includes:
- Development and Implementation of the Exposure Control Plan
- Employee Silica Training
- Jobsite Silica Dust Oversight and Monitoring
