By now, it should be old news that there is a new OSHA Standard for Respirable Crystalline Silica (29 CFR 1926.1153). The new standard was effective June 23, 2016. Enforcement has already begun, but the official enforcement date is June 23, 2018. The standard is aimed at ensuring 2.3 million works exposed to silica at their job are properly protected, and that the nearly 600 lives lost and 900 new cases of silica related diseases reported each year due to silica dust exposure can be eliminated. Not to mention reducing the $7.7 billion annual cost associated with treatment.
Who is affected? Any workplace that processes materials that contain silica. The new silica rule is actually made up of two rules, one for general industry and maritime, and one for the construction industry. The standard states, “The employer shall assess the exposure of each employee who is or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level…” In this webinar on March 21st, we will discuss assessment process, and compliance actions you must take depending on the results.
In this webinar you will learn:
- What is Respirable Silica, and who is at risk?
- What is an Exposure Assessment, and how to implement a sampling plan?
- What policies, plans, PPE, engineering controls, and obligations must be implemented pending the exposure assessment results?
This webinar is eligible for 1 CMP toward your CHMM re-certification.