Potential silica exposures present in tasks that include drilling, cutting concrete and stone
WASHINGTON — On March 24, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a final rule to improve protections for workers exposed to respirable silica dust. The final rule is written as two standards, one for construction and one for general industry and maritime.
For the construction industry and affected Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) contractors, potential silica exposures are found in tasks that include drilling and cutting concrete and stone. For SMACNA contractors, a typical task affected by this rule would be setting duct and pipe hangers into concrete.