Sources: Occupational Safety and Health Administration; Mason Contractors Association of America, Algonquin, Ill.; CP staff
OSHA has moved the target for the construction industry to comply with the revised respirable crystalline silica exposure standard from June 23 to September 23, citing a need to conduct additional outreach and provide educational materials and guidance due to the unique nature of employer requirements.
Announcing the delay, the agency nevertheless urges construction industry employers to continue to a) take steps either to come into compliance with the new permissible exposure limit, or implement specific dust controls for certain operations as provided in Table 1 of the standard; and, b) prepare to implement exposure assessments, medical surveillance and employee training requirements.
On behalf of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC), the Mason Contractors Association of America noted, “The Coalition is pleased OSHA has recognized the need to develop guidance material for the construction industry before enforcing the respirable crystalline silica rule. While CISC appreciates the 90-day delay in enforcement, [it] remains concerned about the overall feasibility of the standard in construction and has requested that the Agency delay enforcement for a year.”
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