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.

OSHA Related

New OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping e-filing Requirements

From Bob Kunz:

Team,

Several members have inquired about the new OSHA injury and Illness recordkeeping e-filing requirements.  Please see this link to resource page:  https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/finalrule/index.html and this Q&A information (new e-filing requirements): https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/finalrule/finalrule_faq.html provided by OSHA.

I would encourage you to review OSHA 29 CFR 1904 to ensure that you are current on the recordkeeping standard requirement – see link: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owasrch.search_form?p_doc_type=STANDARDS&p_toc_level=1&p_keyvalue=1904.  If you have multiple locations, you may want to review: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9652  (recordkeeping for construction projects with duration of one year or longer may separate from other establishments for recordkeeping purposes) and the definitions: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=12790 .

Here is an additional link to frequently asked questions (29 CFR 1904): https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/entryfaq.html .

I have heard wonderful comments about the recordkeeping course provided as part of the OSHA Region 1 OTI at Keene State College – see link to website and training schedule: http://oshaedne.com/ .

If you have any questions, please contact Ed Conway at OSHA or my office.

Have a healthy and safe Summer 2016.

Electrical, Meeting Related, OSHA Related

June’s Meeting Announcement

From Bob Kunz: Team SAFER,

Are you ready for the weekend?  Any weekend warriors out there?  If yes, please use ladders and hand and power tools properly, utilize personal fall arrest (or restraint) when exposed to fall hazards, keep 10’ away from overhead power lines (call National Grid to coordinate outage, and wear PPE when exposed to noise, flying objects, chemicals, etc.

If you are driving a motor vehicle, wear your seat belt, do not drink and drive, pull over if you are fatigued, stay out of left lane, except to pass, adhere to speed limit, etc. This weekend, local and state police have special enforcement activities including checkpoints.

The next meeting is June 1, 2016 from 8-10 am. Please RSVP to bkunz@dimeo.com with SAFER in subject line.

The main topic is NFPA 70E.

The agenda for the June meeting follows:

Lessons learned from Ken Mastrullo, Principal Consultant at MES Consulting Service Inc.  Ken has worked for NFPA and OSHA and has a plethora of information related to this topic.  At NFPA, Ken was a Senior Electrical Specialist and served as the Secretary to NFPA 70E, etc.  Ken has also served as the Electrical Technical Expert for OSHA-Region 1.

The following information is provided by the NFPA:  http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=70e

Here is a trade magazine article:  http://www.ishn.com/articles/101319-how-osha-will-enforce-nfpa-70e-2015

And OSHA interpretations: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=24617 ; https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=interpretations&p_id=25540 ; https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25557 .