New Silica Compliance Guide for Small Businesses Released

Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a new compliance guidance document for small businesses in anticipation of the upcoming respirable silica rule effective date. The guide specifically targets small businesses operating in general industry that will be covered under the new silica rule, which holds a compliance date for general industry (such as the ready mixed concrete industry) of June 23, 2018. The new silica standard, finalized in March 2016, aims to cut in half the permissible expose limit (PEL) of respirable crystalline silica, add a new action level, as well as require new employee area limits, recordkeeping, reporting, medical surveillance, housekeeping, exposure control plans and employee training.