OSHA’s New Silica Standards

OSHA’s new Crystalline Silica Standards took effect on June 23, 2016. These standards replace the old silica guidelines published more than 40 years ago and contain a number of new requirements, including:

• A new permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 micrograms of respirable crystalline silica per cubic meter of air (μg/m³), averaged over an 8-hour work day. This PEL applies to all industries covered by the new standards.
• Employers must now use engineering controls to limit employee exposure.
• Employee access to high exposure areas must be limited.
• Employers must develop a written exposure control plan.
• Employers must offer medical exams to highly exposed employees.
• Employers must train employees on the dangers of silica and how to limit their exposure.

Updated RAVS Protocols for 2017
A new Silica Exposure Control written program requirement will be implemented as part of the RAVS (Review and Verification Services) requirement in ISNetworld in January 2017. This will capture the most important elements of 29 CFR 1910.1053 and 1926.1153 while preserving the flexible implementation of engineering controls outlined by OSHA.

While the new standards took effect on June 23, 2016, OSHA has staggered the compliance schedule for the new silica regulations by industry, with the earliest being June 23, 2017 for the construction industry. To ensure compliance, ISN is working with stakeholders to stay ahead of regulatory updates in an ever-changing world.