Similar to the EPA’s effort to reduce safety concerns lead paint dust by implementing the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has now introduced a new silica standard to protect workers from breathing hazardous silica dust. This rule is intended to curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America’s workers by limiting their exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
According to OSHA, about 2.3 million workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in their workplaces. Additionally, it estimates that, once implemented and fully realized, the final rule will prevent more than 900 new cases of silicosis each year and save over 600 lives, as well as yield approximately $7.7 billion annually in net benefits.
Since Federal OSHA has delayed enforcement of this standard, MNOSHA is also delaying enforcement of this until Sept. 23, 2017. However, MNOSHA will be providing guidance to employers to ensure company compliance for when enforcement begins in September, starting with this free Construction Seminar.
This overview, at 7 a.m. on May 16, is designed to aid those within the construction industry anticipate and control silica exposures, and learn how to comply with OSHA’s silica standard. This seminar will be held at the MnDOT Training and Conference Center, 1900 W. Cty. Road I, Shoreview, MN. Find all event information, directions and maps at www.dli.mn.gov/OSHA/ConstructionSeminars.asp.
