General Industry Silica

Crystalline Silica Hazards – You’re required unless you can prove that you aren’t

The most common OSHA citation is an inadequate or absent air monitoring program with the second most cited OSHA citations being an inadequate or absent exposure control plan. 39% of all OSHA citations fall under unsatisfactory respiratory conditions.

With such a large number of violations attributed to respiratory health it’s important to formulate a respiratory plan that fits your needs as an employer.  The General Industry Silica standard guides employers on providing a safe working environment for employees who might encounter some of these obstacles on a daily basis. We’ve outlined some areas below to pay special attention to!

• [1910.1053(a)(2)], [1910.1053(d)(1)] – Employer Responsibilities
• [1910.1053(d)] – Exposure Monitoring
• [1910.1053(f)(1)] – Engineering and Work Practice Controls
• [1910.1053(f)(2)] – Written Exposure Control Plan
• [1910.1053(g)] – Personal Protective Equipment/ Respirator
• [1910.1053(j)] – Hazard Communication
• [1910.1053(j)(3)] – Employee Training

Does the General Industry Silica standard apply to me?

Quite possibly.  Under OSHA’s General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) employers are responsible for protecting their employees from a hazardous working environment.

More from OSHA's website:

General Industry Silica Standard (29 CFR 1910.1053) is a regulation that prescribes safeguards to protect workers against hazards related to general industry silica. It guides employers on responsibilities, monitoring, PPE, training, and record keeping for employees in an environment where they would be affected.