2. Silica Rule Update
Few updates since the standards were implemented
New Sample Training PowerPoint for Construction
• Basic info – what is silica, where is it found, health hazards, protecting
employees (Eng, A/WP, Resp, HK), competent person, medical)
Video Protecting Workers from Silica Hazards in the Workplace, 5 minutes -
basic overview for the new employee
• Other videos for Table 1 Tasks (next slide)
Table 1 Task Fact Sheets for Construction (next, next slide)
3. Controlling Silica Dust in Construction, Videos for
Table 1 Tasks
Stationary Masonry Saws
Handheld Power Saws
Handheld and Stand-Mounted Drills
Jackhammers or Handheld Powered Chipping Tools
Handheld Grinders for Mortar Removal (Tuckpointing)
Handheld Grinders for Uses Other than Mortar Removal
4. Table 1 Tasks, Fact Sheets for Construction
•Handheld Power Saws
•Handheld Grinders for Tasks Other Than Mortar
Removal
•Handheld Power Saws Used to Cut Fiber-Cement
Board
•Jackhammers or Handheld Powered Chipping Tools
•Handheld and Stand-Mounted Drills
•Stationary Masonry Saws
•Handheld Grinders for Mortar Removal (Tuckpointing)
•Walk-Behind Saws
•Drivable Saws
•Rig-Mounted Core Saws or Drills
•Dowel Drilling Rigs for Concrete
•Vehicle-Mounted Drilling Rigs for Rock and
Concrete
•Walk-Behind Milling Machines and Floor Grinders
•Small Drivable Milling Machines ( < Half Lane)
•Large Drivable Milling Machines ( > Half Lane)
•Crushing Machines
•Heavy Equipment and Utility Vehicles Used
During Demolition Activities
•Heavy Equipment and Utility Vehicles Used for
Grading and Excavating Tasks
6. FAQs for the Construction Industry, August 2018
Scope
Definitions
Exposure Control Methods
Housekeeping
Written Exposure Control Plan
Medical Surveillance
Employee Information and Training
Recordkeeping
7. Citations / Penalties
Construction (1926.1153) all industries
202 Inspections
556 citations
avg. 2.75 citation / inspection
$816,926 penalties
avg. $1,469.29 / citation
General Industry (1910.1053) all industries
5 Inspections
12 citations
avg. 2.4 citations / inspection
$22,315 penalties
avg. $1,859.58 / citation
October 2017 thru September 2018
8. Citations / Penalties
1926.1153(c)(1) the employer shall fully and properly implement
engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection
specified for tasks on Table 1, unless employer assesses and limits
exposure to RCS, IAW para (d)
9. Citations / Penalties
1926.1153 (d)(2)(i) - assess exposure of each employee who is or may
reasonably be expected to be exposed to RCS at or above the action
level IAW either the performance option or the scheduled monitoring
option
10. Citations / Penalties
Performance option - assess exposure for each employee on basis of
any combination of air monitoring data or objective data sufficient to
accurately characterize employee exposures to RCS
11. Citations / Penalties
Scheduled monitoring option
─ sample employees each shift, each job classification, each work
area
─ exposures below the action level, discontinue monitoring
─ exposures at or above action level but at or below PEL, repeat
monitoring within 6 months
─ exposures above the PEL, repeat monitoring within 3 months
13. Citations / Penalties
1926.1153(g)(1) Exposure Control Plan
─ description of the tasks in the workplace
─ description of engineering controls, work practices, respiratory protection
─ description of housekeeping measures
─ description of procedures used to restrict access to work areas
14. Citations / Penalties
1926.1153(I)(1) Communication of RCS hazards to employees -
Hazard Communication
1910.1053(j)(1) Communication of RCS hazards to employees -
Hazard Communication
15. Citations / Penalties
1910.1053(c) Permissible Exposure Limit
─ (d)(1) assess exposure
─ (e)(1) regulate areas
─ (f)(1) engineering controls, work practices
─ (f)(2)(i)(C) housekeeping measures
─ (l)(1)(i) failure to implement the standard
16. Citations / Penalties
1910.1053(g)(2) Respiratory Protection Program
Where respiratory protection is required, employers must provide each
employee with an appropriate respirator
17. Citations / Penalties
Virginia Department of Labor
Inspection date, for one company, 02202018 – 08062018
Fines assessed at $296,065.00
Specifically:
1. Communication of RCS hazards to employees
2. Not fully and properly implementing engineering controls, work practices
and respiratory protection
3. Not assessing employee exposures to RCS
4. Not implementing respiratory protection
18. Respirator Use, 1910.1053
Respirators required
When PEL exceeded during periods to install/implement eng/work practice controls
When PEL exceeded during tasks, in which engineering and work practice controls
are not feasible
When engineering/work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce exposures to
or below the PEL
When in a regulated area
• The employer must assess whether the observer already has the equipment,
medical clearance, and training necessary to enter the area in question, including
observers not employed by the employer
19. Respirator Use, 1926.1153
For tasks specified on table 1
For tasks not specified on table 1 in which exposures exceed the PEL
When engineering controls and work practices have not been fully and
properly implemented
20. Respirator Use, 1926.1153
Fully and properly implemented means…
For tasks performed indoors or in enclosed areas, provide a means of exhaust as
needed to minimize the accumulation of visible airborne dust
For tasks performed using wet methods, apply water at flow rates sufficient to
minimize release of visible dust
21. Respirator Use, 1926.1153
For measures implemented that include an enclosed cab or booth, ensure that the
enclosed cab or booth
Is maintained as free as practicable from settled dust
Has door seals and closing mechanisms that work properly
Has gaskets and seals that are in good condition and working properly
Is under positive pressure maintained through continuous delivery of fresh air
Has intake air that is filtered through a filter that is 95% efficient in the 0.3-10.0 μm
range (e.g., *MERV-16 or better)
Has heating and cooling capabilities
*minimum efficiency reporting value
22. Medical Surveillance
1910.1053(i)(1)(i)The employer shall make medical surveillance available at no cost
to the employee, and at a reasonable time and place, for each employee who will be
occupationally exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level for
30 or more days per year.
1926.1153(h)(1)(i)The employer shall make medical surveillance available at no cost
to the employee, and at a reasonable time and place, for each employee who will be
required under this section to use a respirator for 30 or more days per year.
23. Silica Mitigation Equipment
Exhaust Systems
Design for collection at the source, not for the area
Regular system inspections
Regular preventive maintenance
31. Silica Mitigation Equipment
SonicAire – Blowers
Designed to create a barrier overhead to reduce dust
accumulation
Creates downward draft
Size of facility determines # of blowers to install