OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline SilicaStandard for Construction:

Implementation Update

ACPA Annual MeetingNovember 29, 2018

• Final Rule published on March 25, 2016

• OSHA began enforcing the standard for construction on September 23, 2017

Construction Standard(a) Scope(b) Definitions(c) Specified exposure control methods

OR(d) Alternative exposure control methods

(1) PEL(2) Exposure Assessment(3) Methods of Compliance

(e) Respiratory protection(f) Housekeeping(g) Written exposure control plan(h) Medical surveillance (i) Communication of silica hazards (j) Recordkeeping(k) Dates

Federal OSHA Enforcement(as of 11/26/2018)

• Citations issued for 557 violations of the silica standard for construction

• Current penalties total over $842,000• Most commonly cited provisions:o Specified exposure control methods (131)o Exposure assessment (130)o Written exposure control plan (91)o Communication of hazards (50)

Example of a Table 1 Entry

Equipment/ Task

Engineering and Work Practice Control Methods

Required Respiratory Protection and Minimum APF≤ 4 hr/shift

> 4 hr/shift

Walk-behind saws

Use saw equipped with integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade.

Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions.

- When used outdoors.

- When used indoors or in an enclosed area.

None

APF 10

None

APF 10

Alternative Exposure Control Methods –Exposure Assessment

• Assess exposures if they may reasonably be at or above the action level of 25 µg/m3

• Two options for exposure assessments:o The performance option oro The scheduled monitoring option

Construction –Written Exposure Control Plan

• The plan must describe:o Tasks with exposures o Engineering controls, work practices,

and respiratory protection for each tasko Housekeeping measures used to limit

exposureo Procedures used to restrict access,

when necessary to limit exposures

Communication of Hazards• Comply with hazard communication standard

(HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200); address: o Cancero Lung effectso Immune system effectso Kidney effects

• Train workers on:o Health hazardso Tasks with exposureo Workplace protectionso ID of competent persono Silica standardo Medical surveillance

Table 1 RFI• OSHA will publish a Request for Information (RFI) in the

Federal Register• Evaluating possible revisions to Table 1• Will include questions on specific dust control methods

and tasks• OSHA is particularly interested in evidence on the

effectiveness of dust control methods• OSHA will evaluate the information received• If evidence supports changes, OSHA will publish

proposed revisions for public comment

Guidance and Outreach

• Silica Webpage: www.osha.gov/silicao Small Entity Compliance

Guideo FAQso Fact sheetso Videoso Training PowerPointo Interim enforcement

guidance

Questions?