Are You Ready for OSHA’s New Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard?
Luis Pieretti, PhD, CIH, CSP
The first in a three-part series of articles analyzing OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline silica standard, this article from Luis Pieretti, PhD, CIH, CSP, discusses the new PEL and how it might impact employers in general industry and the maritime industry.
On March 25, 2016, OSHA published the long-awaited respirable crystalline silica rule, which the agency says will affect 2 million construction workers who drill, cut, crush or grind silica-containing materials such as concrete and stone, and 300,000 workers in general industry operations such as brick manufacturing, foundries and hydraulic fracturing.
This rule took effect on June 23, 2016, after which industries have one to five years to comply:
