A Look into OSHA's new Silica Rule

There are myths and urban legends about OSHA’s new silica rule. The facts are the Department of Labor has instructed OSHA to proceed with enforcing the tough silica exposure rule. Efforts to reverse, ban or alter the rule have so far been unsuccessful. What will OSHA be looking for? The Department of Labor recently put out a sheet providing compliance officers guidance on investigating silica concerns on construction sites. The inspection procedure is not a secret. Using Google search “interim silica enforcement guidance,” click on the Oct. 19, 2017 DOL directive. You can also contact the Stucco Manufacturers Association for a copy. 

A task that has an exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica over 25 micrograms as an 8-hour time weighted average is subject to the ruling. Only tasks that can be verified as below 25 are exempt from “action.” The Permissible Exposure Limit is 50; this is a reduction from 250. Creating dust with materials such as concrete, drywall, cement, masonry or stucco are now going to be under scrutiny.