E – 1615 OSHA 2017 Silica Rule Overview

Description

In this online engineering PDH course, a brief overview is given of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s 2017 Silica Rule. Respirable crystalline silica is particularly hazardous for the nation’s workers, yet OSHA’s previous permissible exposure limits for silica are more than 40 years old and are based on research from the 1960s and earlier that do not reflect more recent scientific evidence. Strong evidence shows that the previous exposure limits do not adequately protect worker health. This course presents an overview of the 2017 silica rule, and describes controls and work practices that reduce workers’ exposure to silica dust.

This 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).

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