Respirable crystalline silica is particularly hazardous for workers, yet previous permissible exposure limits for silica determined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are based on research from the 1960s or earlier that don't reflect more recent scientific evidence. Given the current hazard level, current research and real-life case studies strongly suggest that the previous silica exposure limits fail to adequately protect worker health. So what controls and work practices can be implemented to reduce worker exposure to silica dust? Prepared by Dr. Rossow, the present course provides a brief overview of the OSHA 2017 Silica Rule, including recommended controls and work practices to reduce silica exposure. This online engineering PDH course is based on the publications: OSHA Frequently Asked Questions: Respirable Crystalline Silica Rule; Assigned Protection Factors for the Revised Respiratory Standard, OSHA Publication 3352-02, 2009 (excerpts); and OSHA's Final Rule to Protect Workers from Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica, Construction Standard, §1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica. Table 1. (excerpts).

Learning Objectives

• Health impacts of crystalline silica
• Need for a silica rule
• Impacts on industry
• Rule requirements
• Compliance dates
• State plans and compliance assistance