The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a final rule to curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in Americaʼs workers by limiting their exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
According to OSHAʼs website, the good news is that silicosis is 100% preventable! While using power tools with a dust attachment/accessory and dust extractors with the right filter, exposure to silica can be drastically reduced.
The new standard went into effect on September 23, 2016, and employers are required to comply with all obligations of the standard. OSHA enforcement dates differ by state and can be referenced by visiting https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/index.html .
If your state does not have their own state plan, OSHA federal silica regulations will apply.
TABLE 1 - SPECIFIED EXPOSURE CONTROL METHODS WHEN WORKING WITH MATERIALS CONTAINING CRYSTALLINE SILICA
| Equipment/Task | Engineering and Work Practice Control Methods | Required Respiratory Protection and Minimum Assigned Protection Factor (APF) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 4 hours/shift | > 4 hours/shift | ||
| Handheld and Stand-Mounted Drills (including impact and rotary hammer drills). |
Use drill equipped with commercially available shroud or cowling with dust collection system. Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions. Dust collector must provide the air flow recommended by the tool manufacturer, or greater, and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a filter-cleaning mechanism. Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum when cleaning holes |
None | None |
| Jackhammers and Handheld Powered Chipping Tools |
Use tool equipped with commercially available shroud and dust collection system. Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions. Dust collector must provide the air flow recommended by the tool manufacturer, or greater, and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a filter-cleaning mechanism. |
||
| None | APF 10 | ||
| APF 10 | APF 10 | ||
| Handheld Power Saws for Cutting Fibercement Board (with blade diameter of 8 inches or less) | For tasks performed outdoors only: Use saw equipped with commercially available dust collection system. Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions. Dust collector must provide the air flow recommended by the tool manufacturer, or greater, and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency. |
None | None |
| Handheld Grinders for Mortar Removal (i.e., tuckpointing) | Use grinder equipped with commercially available shroud and dust collection system. Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions. Dust collector must provide 25 cubic feet per minute (cfm) or greater of airflow per inch of wheel diameter and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a cyclonic pre-separator or filter-cleaning mechanism. |
APF 10 | APF 25 |
| Handheld Grinders for Uses Other than Mortar Removal | Use grinder equipped with commercially available shroud and dust collection system. Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions. Dust collector must provide 25 cubic feet per minute (cfm) or greater of airflow per inch of wheel diameter and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a cyclonic pre-separator or filter-cleaning mechanism. |
||
| None | None | ||
| None | APF 10 |
By partnering with The Center For Construction Research & Training, they have provided a comprehensive website dedicated to working safely with silica. Here you can find the following resources and training materials to get you, your crew and jobsite fully prepared:
Training Materials
