Silica Exposure Safety Program
$25.00
The Silica Exposure Safety Program establishes requirements for protecting employees from occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica generated during construction, manufacturing, maintenance, and other work activities involving silica-containing materials. Exposure may occur when employees cut, saw, grind, drill, crush, sand, demolish, or otherwise disturb concrete, masonry, brick, mortar, stone, and similar materials. Inhaling respirable crystalline silica can cause serious health effects, including silicosis, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases. The program emphasizes identifying silica-generating tasks, evaluating employee exposures, and using effective controls to minimize airborne silica.
The program addresses silica exposure assessment, OSHA permissible exposure limits, engineering controls, wet methods, local exhaust ventilation, respiratory protection, regulated or restricted work areas, housekeeping, personal protective equipment (PPE), medical surveillance, and employee training. Employees must follow established exposure-control procedures and use required engineering and work-practice controls before relying on respiratory protection. Dry sweeping or compressed air must not be used when it could contribute to silica exposure unless appropriate controls are implemented. The Silica Exposure Safety Program also addresses competent-person responsibilities, exposure monitoring, written exposure control procedures, recordkeeping, and training to help prevent respirable crystalline silica exposure and silicosis.
Description
The Silica Exposure Safety Program provides a structured approach for identifying and controlling employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica during work involving concrete, masonry, brick, mortar, stone, and other silica-containing materials. It establishes responsibilities for management, supervisors, competent persons, and affected employees and addresses exposure evaluation, work planning, implementation of controls, and employee protection.
The program addresses silica-generating tasks, exposure assessments and air monitoring, engineering controls, wet methods, local exhaust ventilation, regulated or restricted areas, respiratory protection, housekeeping, PPE, medical surveillance, competent-person responsibilities, employee training, and exposure records. It also establishes procedures for selecting appropriate controls based on the task and exposure potential, limiting access to affected areas, maintaining control equipment, and preventing work practices that can unnecessarily increase airborne silica concentrations.
Provided in editable Microsoft Word format, the program can be customized for your company’s silica-containing materials, work activities, exposure-control methods, respiratory protection requirements, and employee responsibilities. It can be incorporated into a comprehensive Safety Manual or used as a standalone Silica Exposure Safety Program.
