OSHA revises National Emphasis Program to reduce, eliminate worker exposure to silica
OSHA has issued a revised National Emphasis Program (NEP) to identify and reduce or eliminate worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica in general industry, maritime, and construction. The NEP – which took effect February 4 – targets specific industries expected to have the highest numbers of workers exposed to silica, and focuses on enforcement of the new silica standards. However, OSHA says it will conduct 90 days of compliance assistance for affected employers prior to beginning programmed inspections for the NEP.
Revisions to the NEP include:
- Revised application to the lower permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) as an 8-hour time-weighted average in general industry, maritime, and construction;
- Updated list of target industries – listed by NAICS codes – that OSHA area offices will use to develop randomized establishment lists for targeted inspections;
- OSHA compliance safety and health officers (CSHOs) will refer to current enforcement guidance for silica inspection procedures;
- OSHA regional and area offices must comply with the NEP, but are not required to develop and implement corresponding regional or local emphasis programs; and
- State Plan participation in the NEP is mandatory.
While the silica standards became effective in June 2016, construction employers were required to begin complying with their standard as of September 23, 2017, and general industry and maritime employers were required to begin complying with their standard as of June 23, 2018.