McCraren Compliance

OSHA’s New Silica Rule for Construction—What You Need to Know

OSHA estimates approximately 840,000 workers are exposed to silica dust levels which exceed the permissible exposure level (PEL) under the new standard.  Exposure can occur in common construction tasks such as grinders, drills, vehicle mounted drilling rigs, mills, jackhammers, masonry saws, crushing  machines, demolitions, etc.

Excessive exposure can lead to cancer, respiratory diseases, kidney diseases and other severe health issues.   The new law is projected to save hundreds of lives each year.

What do you need to do to protect your employees and to be compliant with the new standard:

Construction companies have options.  Companies which fall under the construction standard may adopt exposure control methods  identified in Table 1 of the new standard.  Table 1 lists proven control methods for common at risk construction activities.  Companies implementing these controls can avoid the measuring and laboratory examinations provisions of the standard.

Get ahead of the compliance date by reviewing the new standard and identifying tasks which put your workers at risk of exposure.  Then developing and implementing your exposure control plan.  

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