OSHA’s new silica rule for the general industry recently went into effect, which lowered the permissible exposure limit for the substance to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m3) and requires employers to take other steps to protect employees. Now, the agency has released new tools to help employers comply with the new standard.
Many of the new materials focus on silica risks that are specific to the construction industry, which has had to adhere to the new standard since last year. Here’s an overview of the new OSHA resources:
• An informational video on the hazards associated with respirable silica
• A series of shorter videos on control methods for specific tasks in the construction industry
• A customizable presentation to help train construction employees on the dangers of silica exposure and how to protect themselves
• An FAQ webpage on the new standard