The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a memorandum outlining the initial enforcement of the agency's standard for respirable crystalline silica in general industry and maritime. OSHA's silica standard establishes an eight-hour, time-weighted average permissible exposure limit, action level and associated requirements.
Most of the standard's provisions become enforceable June 23. During the first 30 days of enforcement, OSHA will offer compliance assistance for employers who make good faith efforts to comply with the standard. The agency intends to issue interim enforcement guidance until a compliance directive for the standard 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 and creating written exposure plans.
For more information about OSHA's general industry and maritime silica standard, click here.
