The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requesting information and comment on Table 1 of the agency’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction, according to www.osha.gov.
OSHA seeks information regarding additional engineering and work practice control methods to effectively limit exposure to silica for the equipment and tasks currently listed on Table 1. The agency also is requesting information about other construction equipment and tasks that generate silica and potentially should be added to Table 1, along with information about their associated engineering and work practice control methods.
Information submitted will allow OSHA to consider new developments and enhanced control methods for equipment that generates exposures to silica and provide additional data regarding exposures to silica from equipment and tasks using various control methods under different workplace conditions. Expanding Table 1 to include additional engineering and work practice control methods, equipment and tasks could provide employers with more flexibility and reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining protections for employees.
If information submitted in response to this request indicates a need for revisions to the silica standards, OSHA will publish the proposed revisions in the Federal Register for public comment.
Comments must be submitted by Oct. 14. Comments and materials may be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov, the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal, or by facsimile or mail. View the Federal Register notice for submission details.
