OSHA Considers Revising Silica Standard for General Industry
Many are calling for an expansion of silica exposure considerations, and an OSHA consideration of change is now underway.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is now accepting comments regarding a revisal to the both the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction and the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for General Industry.
The revision(s) would further limit exposure to silica in two ways: using additional engineering and work practice control methods; equipment; and tasks; and broadening the circumstances under which general industry and maritime employers would be allowed to comply with the silica standard for construction as an alternative to the general standard.
As with any revision consideration to industry standards, if submitted information and response indicates these revisions are necessary, the agency will then propose the revisions to the Federal Register for public comment.
Comments must be submitted by November 13, 2019. Comments and materials may be submitted electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, or by facsimile or mail. See the Federal Register notice for submission details.