The following is a summary from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA Silica Medical Exam)
Department of Labor – on Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica:
“The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is amending its existing standards for occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica. OSHA has determined that employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica at the previous permissible exposure limits face a significant risk of material impairment to their health. The evidence in the record for this rule making indicates that workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica are at increased risk of developing silicosis and other non-malignant respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and kidney disease. This final rule establishes a new permissible exposure limit of 50 micrograms of respirable crystalline silica per cubic meter of air (50 μg/m3) as an 8-hour time weighted average in all industries covered by the rule. It also includes other provisions to protect
employees, such as requirements for exposure assessment, methods for controlling exposure, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, hazard communication, and record keeping.
OSHA is issuing two separate standards – one for general industry and maritime, and the other for construction – in order to tailor requirements to the circumstances found in these sectors.”
To view the full PDF in a new tab click here.
OSHA Silica Medical Exam
“The new OSHA rule governing respirable crystalline silica calls for medical surveillance screenings to allow for identification of silica exposure-related health effects in your workers. But who exactly must be surveilled, when and how often do you conduct the surveillance?”
Learn more about Required Medical Testing For Silica Standard and view the full PDF here.
Other Frequently Asked Questions about OSHA Standard Silica Exam topics such as:
- What is crystalline silica?
- How can exposure to crystalline silica affect workers’ health?
- Who is at risk from exposure to crystalline silica?
- What is the relationship between silica exposure and lung cancer?
- Why is OSHA issuing a new crystalline silica rule?
- What is the new permissible exposure limit (PEL)?
- How can silica exposures be controlled to keep exposure at or below the PEL?
- What industries will be affected by the rule?
- When must employers comply with the standard for general/industry and maritime?
Answers and descriptions can be found within the PDF here.
