The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced new frequently asked questions (FAQs) and training videos regarding the agency's standard for respirable crystalline silica in construction now are available online.
Developed by OSHA in cooperation with industry and labor organizations, the FAQs provide employers and workers with guidance regarding the standard's requirements. In addition, a series of six new videos instruct users regarding methods for controlling exposure to silica dust when performing common construction tasks or using construction equipment; the videos cover topics such as handheld power saws, jackhammers, drills and grinders.
Click here to view the FAQs, and click here to view the videos. To view an easy-to read compilation of OSHA's FAQs in a PDF format, visit the silica regulation resources section of NRCA's website.
NRCA has been conducting personal breathing zone sampling on roofing job sites where silica may be present to assess worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). This effort is intended to establish roofing industry objective data that contractors can rely on, particularly when performing tasks not listed in Table 1 of OSHA's regulation. Industry objective data can relieve contractors from the expense of conducting their own sampling if the tasks being undertaken are similar to those found in the objective data. In the majority of sampling conducted on asphalt shingle, polymer-modified bitumen and built-up roof tear-offs and installations, exposures not only were below the permissible exposure limit (PEL) but also below the action level and in many instances below the limit of detection. Levels of total respirable dust also were well below the OSHA PEL.
In addition, sampling was performed on tasks such as drilling into concrete or masonry for fastener attachment, cutting and fastening gypsum roof boards, and installation and removal of roof gravel or ballast—all with equally positive results.
NRCA offers explanatory material and summaries of the sampling reports in the Members Only section of its website, as well as Toolbox Talks regarding RCS in English and Spanish; a customizable sample written silica exposure control plan required by the rule; a sample written respiratory protection plan; and links to other resources that may help with compliance. To view NRCA's silica regulation resources, click here.
More reports will be added to the silica regulation resources section as NRCA continues to conduct sampling on additional roofing projects.
