OSHA's Silica Rule for General Industry
The OSHA silica rule for general industry/maritime is more geared toward proving silica exposures are occurring below certain levels and thus there is m...
The OSHA silica rule for general industry/maritime is more geared toward proving silica exposures are occurring below certain levels and thus there is more of a sampling focus.
⚡ TL;DR: General industry facilities must conduct silica exposure monitoring if workers could be exposed at or above 25 µg/m³ (the action level). If monitoring shows exposures above the action level, you must sample every 6 months. If above the PEL (50 µg/m³), you must sample every 3 months, provide medical exams, and implement dust controls or respirators.
⚠️ What’s at stake: Facilities without proper silica sampling and controls face OSHA citations up to $16,550 for serious violations. If exposure is confirmed above the action level, you must provide annual medical exams including chest X-rays. Workers who develop silicosis face permanent respiratory impairment, and occupational illness claims exceed $200,000+. Unaddressed exposures create unlimited liability.
Exposure Sampling
Employers must conduct exposure monitoring for silica if the potential for exposure could be at or above an action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8-hour day. The maximum limit, also known as the permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 50 micrograms per cubic meter, averaged over an 8-hour day. If your workers’ exposures are above the PEL, your company must take measures to protect workers from exposure. Affected employees must be notified, in writing, of assessment results and what’s being done to control exposures. If results are above the action level but below the PEL, sampling will need to occur every 6 months until exposures are below the action level for 2 consecutive measurements. If results are above the PEL, sampling will need to occur every 3 months until exposures are below the action level for 2 consecutive measurements.
Other Requirements
Dust Controls — Dust controls need to be used to protect workers from exposures above the PEL. In most cases, wet methods and ventilation can be used to aid in this. Respirators — When dust controls don’t keep exposures below the PEL, respirators are required. Medical Exams — Medical exams including chest X-rays and lung function tests must be offered to workers exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year. These must be offered every 3 years. Warning Signs — Warning signs must be posted at entrances to areas where exposures above the PEL may occur.
Is your facility sampling silica exposures regularly? Do you know which workers are above the action level and need medical surveillance? iSi’s industrial hygiene team helps general industry facilities conduct silica monitoring, implement dust controls, and manage medical exam programs. Get started →
Compliance Deadlines
Employers must comply with all requirements of the standard by June 23, 2018 with some exceptions for medical surveillance and hydraulic fracturing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What triggers silica exposure sampling requirements in general industry?
A: Employers must conduct exposure monitoring for crystalline silica if the potential for exposure could be at or above the action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter (µm³), averaged over an 8-hour workday. If employees may be exposed, sampling is required to determine actual exposure levels and compliance status.
Q: What is the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for crystalline silica in general industry?
A: The PEL is 50 micrograms per cubic meter (µm³), averaged over an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). This is the maximum allowable exposure level under 29 CFR 1910.53. Exposures above this level require employers to implement immediate control measures to protect workers.
Q: How often must employers sample silica exposures if results exceed the action level?
A: If silica levels are above the action level (25 µm³) but below the PEL (50 µm³), sampling must occur every 6 months until exposures drop below the action level for 2 consecutive measurements. If results exceed the PEL, sampling must occur every 3 months until exposures fall below the action level for 2 consecutive measurements.
Q: What dust controls are recommended for silica exposures in general industry?
A: Employers should use wet methods and ventilation as primary dust controls for silica exposures. When these engineering controls cannot reduce exposures below the PEL, respiratory protection is required. iSi Environmental can conduct assessments to determine appropriate controls for your facility’s silica exposures.
Q: What medical surveillance is required under the silica rule for general industry?
A: Workers exposed at or above the action level (25 µg/m³) for 30 or more days per year must be offered medical exams every 3 years. Medical exams include chest X-rays, lung function tests, and medical history. If a worker shows signs of silica-related disease, medical surveillance frequency increases and the worker must be informed in writing.
Q: What happens if I discover silica exposures above the action level during monitoring?
A: If sampling shows exposures at or above 25 µg/m³, you must: notify affected workers in writing, implement dust controls or engineering changes, repeat sampling every 6 months until exposures fall below the action level for 2 consecutive measurements, and offer annual medical exams. Exposures above the PEL (50 µg/m³) require more frequent sampling every 3 months and mandatory respiratory protection.
💰 The cost of non-compliance: OSHA serious violations for silica standard violations run up to $16,550 each. Willful violations reach $165,514. Silicosis settlements average $200,000+, lung cancer claims exceed $1,000,000, and kidney disease claims add $50,000+. Medical surveillance programs for exposed workers cost $500-$1,000 per worker annually. Uncontrolled exposures create cascading liability.
Every satisfactory silica control program starts with knowing your actual exposure levels. iSi Environmental helps manufacturing and general industry facilities conduct silica exposure assessments, implement dust control measures, and manage medical surveillance programs to keep workers protected. Schedule a compliance review →
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