OSHA Issues Proposed Rule On Crystalline Silica

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released its long-awaited proposed rule that sets new workplace permissible exposure limits (PELs) for respirable crystalline silica, and outlines methods to control exposure, conduct medical exams for workers with high silica exposure, train workers about silica-related hazards, and keep records related to crystalline silica amounts. The proposal includes one exposure limit standard for general industry and maritime employment, and another for construction.

Occupational exposure to airborne silica dust occurs in operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling and crushing of concrete, brick, block and other stone products and in operations using sand products, such as in glass manufacturing, foundries and sand blasting. The proposed rule would impose a PEL of 50 micrograms of respirable crystalline silica per cubic meter of air (μg/m3), averaged over an 8-hour day.