What has to be done for silica under OSHA’s hazard communication standard?

Employers must also comply with OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200). HCS requires employers to inform employees about hazardous chemicals in the workplace, such as respirable crystalline silica, through their written hazard communication programs. Written hazard communication programs must describe how requirements for container labels, safety data sheets (SDSs), and employee training will be met.

As part of their hazard communication program for respirable crystalline silica, employers must address at least these health hazards: cancer, lung effects, immune system effects, and kidney effects.

Under the HCS, employers must:

• Inform employees about the general requirements of HCS, as well as where and how they can view the written hazard communication program, lists of hazardous chemicals, and SDSs;
• Train employees on how the presence or release of hazardous chemicals in the work area is detected; in the case of respirable crystalline silica, this could include methods the employer uses to measure exposures, such as air sampling or objective data. Employers can train employees to recognize that an increase in visible dust is a sign that a control may not be working properly; and
• Train employees on the details of the workplace-specific hazard communication program developed by the employer, such as container labels, the workplace labeling system, SDSs (including the order in which the information is presented), and how employees can get and use hazard information.