Crystalline Silica

Crystalline Silica, OSHA Related

OSHA Issues NEP on Respirable Crystalline Silica

OSHA issued the National Emphasis Program – Respirable Crystalline Silica effective 2/4/2020. See the full directive here.

This Instruction describes policies and procedures for implementing a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to identify and reduce or eliminate worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in general industry, maritime, and construction industries.

This replacement NEP addresses enforcement of OSHA’s standards for RCS, promulgated in 2016. One standard covers general industry and maritime, and the other covers construction. Both standards set a permissible exposure limit (PEL) for RCS of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). The former TWA PELs for respirable quartz silica were calculated based on silica content and were approximately equivalent to 100 μg/m3 for general industry and 250 μg/m3 for construction and shipyards (81 FR at 16294, March 25, 2016).

Crystalline Silica, Meeting Related, OSHA Related

October’s Meeting

The next SAFER meeting will be held on October 3, 2019 from 8 AM-10 AM at the New England Institute of Technology, (NEIT), 2480 Post Road, Warwick, RI.

From Bob Kunz:
Team SAFER, we are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Here is the line-up:

• Opening

• OSHA update
o Silica standard Table 1 RFI comment period ends 10/14/19 : https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/trade/08142019
o Leading indicator stakeholder meeting 11/7/19 : https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/09/30/2019-21111/stakeholder-meeting-on-using-leading-indicators-to-improve-safety-and-health-outcomes

• NCCI experience modification rating discussion – AON, Chris Demas
o What is it?
o How is it calculated?
o Why does it matter?
o How is it used?
o Can it be managed?

• NSC opioid toolbox : https://www.nsc.org/pages/prescription-drug-employer-kit

Cardi Corp sponsoring the Coffee and Calories. Make safe (and healthy) choices today, tomorrow and always.

Regards,

Crystalline Silica

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Memorandum Outlining Enforcement of Silica Standard for General Industry and Maritime

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Memorandum Outlining Enforcement of Silica Standard for General Industry and Maritime

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued a memorandum outlining the initial enforcement of the standard for respirable crystalline silica in general industry and maritime. Most provisions of the standard become enforceable on June 23, 2018. The standard establishes a new 8-hour time-weighted average permissible exposure limit, action level, and associated ancillary requirements.

During the first 30 days of enforcement, OSHA will offer compliance assistance for employers who make good faith efforts to comply with the new standard. OSHA intends to issue interim enforcement guidance until a compliance directive on the new standards is finalized. 

OSHA’s Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for General Industry and Maritime discusses methods of compliance, such as using engineering and work practice controls, assessing exposure levels, respirator use, medical surveillance, and written exposure plans.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Crystalline Silica, Meeting Related, OSHA Related

April’s Meeting Announcement

The next meeting will be held April 4, 2018 from 8 am to 10 am at the New England Institute for Technology, 2490 Post Road, Warwick, RI, 2nd floor Hall of Fame room.

We have a great line up for next Wednesday’s meeting including the following:

8:00 am Introduction
8:15 am Jane’s Wellness Tips
8:30 am RIDOH – Employer Mental Health Tool kits
8:40 am Silica Standard How is it going? What have you learned? Final review of questions to submit as part of OSHA Interpretation.
9:00 am Meet and Greet OSHA Providence Area Director, Pat Griffin and OSHA 1 Regional Administrator, Galen Blanton

Thank you to Pariseault Builders Inc. for sponsoring the Coffee and Calories.

Crystalline Silica, Meeting Related, OSHA Related

January Meeting Announcement

The January 2018 SAFER meeting will be held on 1/3/2018 from 8am-10am in Dimeo’s meeting room located at 780 Allens Avenue, Providence, RI 02905.

The meeting will include the following:

8:00 am Introduction – Bob Kunz

  • Pledge of Allegiance
  • Introduction
  • Guest
  • New Members
  • What’s new
  • Building SAFER in RI website update

8:15 am  “Jane’s Wellness Tips”

8:30 am Silica – Lisa Sullivan OSHA Region 1 Coordinator

10:00 am End

Note: Space is limited to 40 persons. Please RSVP to Bob Kunz.

Crystalline Silica, Meeting Related, OSHA Related

November’s Meeting

The meeting will be held at New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) 2490 Post Road, Warwick, RI 2nd Floor Hall of Fame Room from 8AM-10AM. Continental breakfast served at 7:30 AM. Hope to see you there.

From Bob Kunz:

Team SAFER,

We hope that you weathered  the high winds without incident last night – I had to dodge a few branches and trash cans on the way to the office.

We have a great line-up for the November meeting, as follows:

  1. Introduction
  2. Jane’s Wellness tip for the month
  3. OSHA Silica Standard 29 CFR 1926.1153 Update
    1. On Oct 19, 2017 OSHA issued interim compliance directive – see link: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=31349
    2. OSHA ID142 – Know what to expect – see link: https://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/inorganic/id142/id142.pdf
    3. Objective data (OD) – many power tool manufacturers are providing OD – but does it meet the standard? And, how do you apply it?
    4. Sweeping compound
  4. Brain Injury Association of RI
  5. Lesson Learned
    1. Cranes and the FAA

 

Crystalline Silica, Meeting Related

March Meeting Announcement

The next SAFER meeting is March 1, 2017 in Room CT 332 at the New England Institute for Technology (NEIT), 2490 Post Road, Warwick, RI.

From Bob Kunz:

Team SAFER,

Good morning!  Are you ready?  The June 23, 2017, compliance date is right around the corner.  I have a few updates from industry association, as follows:

·         The AGC National has provided the following recommendation “At this point we are recommending that members proceed as if the rule will go into effect as is.  With the uncertainty with the silica litigation, we believe that is the right approach”, and

·         The Mason Contractors Association of America recommend “I would say there is a 95% chance the rule will begin on June 23, 2017. The only hope we really have of any delay would be Trump intervening. Even if he did, likely it would be a temporary delay. In my opinion there is a 100% chance we will see a change to our current silica rule. I do believe we will see the rule going into effect but tweaked a bit, but I believe portions of the rule will not change”.

On Wednesday we will discuss the following related to Silica rule and beyond:

  • Receive information from an OSHA industrial hygienist
  • Discuss the role of competent person
  • Review written control / exposure plan
  • Review training requirements

Please RSVP to bkunz@dimeo.com.

Crystalline Silica, Meeting Related

April Mtg – Update #2

Additional information on Silica from Bob Kunz:

“Team,

As a followed to the April 2016 SAFER meeting on Silica, please find the following:

I hope this helps answer questions”.

Attached is ANSI.Z87.1.2003. Table E-1 is being removed from 1926.102 at the end of the month.

SAFER wishes to thank the following people for providing great information on the latest changes to the silica standard and how to prepare and get ready to meet the new requirements that go into effect 14 months from now:

  • John Goins, OSHA Compliance Officer
  • Bob Kunz, Dimeo Construction & SAFER Chairman
  • Linda Peacock, HILTI North America

SAFER Also thanks New England Institute of Technology for providing the meeting room and GT Safety for sponsoring the continental breakfast.

The focus of the meeting was the new OSHA standards related to silica for Construction and General Industries.

Occupational Exposure to Respirable Silica – Final Rule effective 6-23-2016

Construction compliance by 6-23-2017 and General Industry  compliance by 6-23-2018

As you may be aware, OSHA published the final rule for Occupational Exposure to Respirable Silica on 3-23-2016.  OSHA has developed a web page that contains the final rule, fact sheets, question and answer white paper, for example – see link:  https://www.osha.gov/silica/index.html .

The new permissible exposure level (PEL) for construction is 50 µg/m3, which is the equivalent of 5 grains of sand in 264 gallons of water (approximately five 55 gallon drums).

We will discuss the final rule, to ensure that your firm is prepared to comply with the requirements codified within same.  Compliance with the final rule, may require:

  • Development of written plan or program
  • Employee qualification |surveillance | training
  • Equipment and tool evaluation
  • Objective data acquisition | evaluation

The increased conversation concerning silica within the community may impact insurance program considerations, as well.

Crystalline Silica, Meeting Related, OSHA Related

April Meeting Update #2

Additional information on Silica from Bob Kunz:

“Team,

As a followed to the April 2016 SAFER meeting on Silica, please find the following:

I hope this helps answer questions”.

 

Attached is ANSI.Z87.1.2003. Table E-1 is being removed from 1926.102 at the end of the month.

SAFER wishes to thank the following people for providing great information on the latest changes to the silica standard and how to prepare and get ready to meet the new requirements that go into effect 14 months from now:

  • John Goins, OSHA Compliance Officer
  • Bob Kunz, Dimeo Construction & SAFER Chairman
  • Linda Peacock, HILTI North America

SAFER Also thanks New England Institute of Technology for providing the meeting room and GT Safety for sponsoring the continental breakfast.

The focus of the meeting was the new OSHA standards related to silica for Construction and General Industries.

Occupational Exposure to Respirable Silica – Final Rule effective 6-23-2016

Construction compliance by 6-23-2017 and General Industry  compliance by 6-23-2018

As you may be aware, OSHA published the final rule for Occupational Exposure to Respirable Silica on 3-23-2016.  OSHA has developed a web page that contains the final rule, fact sheets, question and answer white paper, for example – see link:  https://www.osha.gov/silica/index.html .

The new permissible exposure level (PEL) for construction is 50 µg/m3, which is the equivalent of 5 grains of sand in 264 gallons of water (approximately five 55 gallon drums).

We will discuss the final rule, to ensure that your firm is prepared to comply with the requirements codified within same.  Compliance with the final rule, may require:

  • Development of written plan or program
  • Employee qualification |surveillance | training
  • Equipment and tool evaluation
  • Objective data acquisition | evaluation

The increased conversation concerning silica within the community may impact insurance program considerations, as well.