Enforcement and Inspection

OSHA Proposes New Limits for Silica Exposure

As you probably know, OSHA is proposing to change the exposure limit for silica. Learn the details in today’s Advisor.

OSHA is inviting and strongly encouraging the public to participate in the process of developing a final rule for silica exposure through written comments and participation in public hearings. You have until December 11 to submit written comments on the proposed rule.

Hearings on the proposed silica rule are scheduled to begin on March 4, 2014 at the Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building in Washington, DC. Those who wish to participate in public hearings must submit a notice of intention to appear by November 12.

OSHA says the proposed rule is aimed at curbing lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease in America’s workers. The proposal seeks to lower worker exposure to crystalline silica, which kills hundreds of workers and sickens thousands more each year.

The current PEL for quartz (the most common form of crystalline silica) in general industry is a formula that is approximately equivalent to 100 micrograms per cubic meter of air ([mu]g/m\3\) as an 8-hour time-weighted average. The current PELs for two other forms of crystalline silica (cristobalite and tridymite) are one-half of the values for quartz in general industry.


OSHA is pushing for stricter exposure limits for crystalline silica and has proposed a new standard to achieve this goal. BLR’s upcoming live webinar will provide you with a roadmap for responding to and preparing for the new exposure limits. Click here for details.


What the Rule Would Change

In more serious cases, people also develop respiratory symptoms, such as:

OSHA is proposing a new PEL for respirable crystalline silica (quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite) of 50 [mu]g/m\3\ in all industry sectors covered by the rule. OSHA is also proposing other elements of a comprehensive health standard, including
requirements for exposure assessment, preferred methods for controlling exposure, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, hazard communication, and recordkeeping.

“Exposure to silica can be deadly, and limiting that exposure is essential,” says OSHA chief Dr. David Michaels. “Every year, exposed workers not only lose their ability to work, but also to breathe. This proposal is expected to prevent thousands of deaths from silicosis—an incurable and progressive disease—as well as lung cancer, other respiratory diseases, and kidney disease. We’re looking forward to public comment on the proposal.”

Once the full effects of the rule are realized, OSHA estimates that the proposed rule would result in saving nearly 700 lives per year and prevent 1,600 new cases of silicosis annually.


If you need to know about the proposed changes to silica exposure rules, join us on November 18 for an in-depth live webinar. The webinar will explain the rulemaking process and provide you with a detailed evaluation of OSHA’s proposed crystalline silica standard. Learn More.


OSHA says that the proposal is based on extensive review of scientific and technical evidence, consideration of current industry consensus standards and outreach by OSHA to stakeholders, including public stakeholder meetings, conferences and meetings with employer and employee organizations.

“The proposed rule uses common sense measures that will protect workers’ lives and lungs-like keeping the material wet so dust doesn’t become airborne,” says Michaels. “It is designed to give employers flexibility in selecting ways to meet the standard.”

The proposed rulemaking includes two separate standards—one for general industry and maritime employment, and one for construction.

Tomorrow, we’ll review OSHA’s argument for requiring primary reliance on engineering controls and work practices to control silica exposure rather than PPE.

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