Write a toolbox talk on silica

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- (2) Restricted access for construction activities. For employers engaged in construction activities or using the specific exposure control methods in 437002-1057; - (a) Written procedures. Develop and implement written procedures to restrict access to work areas, when necessary, to minimize the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica and their level of exposure, including exposures generated by other employers or sole proprietors. Procedures must be part of the written exposure control plan required by [redacted phone](2). - (b) Competent person. Designate a competent person to ensure the procedures are followed. Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) and 656.726(4). Stats. Implemented: ORS 654.001 through 654.295. Hist: OR-OSHA Admin. Order 5-2016, f. 9/23/16, ef. 7/1/18. ## [redacted phone] Methods of compliance This rule describes the engineering and work practice controls you must use. - (1) Engineering and work practice controls. Use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. Wherever such feasible engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL, use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest feasible level and supplement them with the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of this subdivision. - (2) Establish and implement a written exposure control plan that contains at least the following elements: - (a) A description of the tasks in the workplace that involve exposure to respirable crystalline silica; - (b) A description of the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica for each task; and - (c) A description of the housekeeping measures used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

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## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 ## Personal protective equipment - 24-8 (1) An employer or contractor shall provide, and require a worker to wear, a respiratory protective device and other personal protective equipment that meet the requirements of Part 7 if: - (a) the protective measures required by section 24-6 or 24-7 are not practicable; or - (b) the worker is employed in cleaning and maintenance work and may be exposed to dust from a silica process. - (2) For workers engaged in abrasive blasting, an employer or contractor shall provide and maintain approved blasting hoods supplied with air: - (a) of a volume of not less than 170 litres per minute at a pressure of not more than 140 kilopascals; and - (b) that is clean and at a reasonable temperature. - (3) For workers who may be exposed to dust resulting from abrasive blasting, an employer or contractor shall provide and maintain respiratory protective devices that meet the requirements of Part 7. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s24-8. ## Standards for blasting enclosures - 24-9 (1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that every blasting enclosure is: - (a) constructed, operated and maintained to prevent the escape of dust; - (b) provided with an efficient, dust-extraction system, that is operated continuously whenever the blasting enclosure is in use, whether or not abrasive blasting is actually taking place; and - (c) provided with efficient equipment for separating the abrasive from the dust, to the extent that is practicable. - (2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that an abrasive is not reintroduced into a blasting apparatus until the abrasive has been separated from the dust pursuant to clause (1) (c). - (3) An employer or contractor shall ensure that: - (a) a blasting enclosure is inspected daily when in use; - (b) a blasting enclosure, the equipment connected with the enclosure and the ventilating system associated with the enclosure are thoroughly examined and tested…

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## [redacted phone] Communication of respirable crystalline silica hazards to employees - (1) Include respirable crystalline silica in the program established to comply with the hazard communication standard (HCS) (1910.1200). Ensure that each employee has access to labels on containers of crystalline silica and safety data sheets, and is trained in accordance with the provisions of HCS and this subdivision. Ensure that at least the following hazards are addressed: - (a) Cancer - (b) Lung effects - (c) Immune system effects - (d) Kidney effects - (2) Ensure that each employee covered by this subdivision can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the following: - (a) The health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica; - (b) Specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica; - (c) Specific measures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, including engineering controls, work practices, and respirators to be used; - (d) The contents of this subdivision; - (e) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by [redacted phone]; and - (f) When a competent person is required, the identity of the designated competent person. - (3) Make a copy of [redacted phone] through [redacted phone] readily available without cost to each employee covered by these rules. Stat. Auth.: ORS 654.025(2) and 656.726(4). Stats. Implemented: ORS 654.001 through 654.295. Hist: OR-OSHA Admin. Order 5-2016, f. 9/23/16, ef. 7/1/18. ## [redacted phone] Recordkeeping - (1) Air monitoring data.

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## [redacted phone] Specified exposure control methods This rule lists specific tasks and control measures that do not require an exposure assessment and is only applicable to construction and construction like-activities. - (1) Fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified for the task on Table 1, unless you assess and limit the exposure of employees to respirable crystalline silica in accordance with [redacted phone]. - (a) When construction employees engage in a task identified on Table 1 of this rule, the exposure assessment in [redacted phone] is not required when the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified are fully and properly implemented for the tasks listed on Table 1 of this rule. - (b) The exposure assessment required by [redacted phone] is not required when non-construction employees, such as building maintenance personnel, engage in a construction-like task, which when performed: - (A) Is indistinguishable from a construction task listed on Table 1; and - (B) The task will not be performed regularly in the same environment and condition; and - (C) The engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified are fully and properly implemented for the task on Table 1 of this rule. - (2) When using wet methods, apply water at flow rates sufficient to minimize the release of visible dust. - (3) For measures that include an enclosed cab or booth, ensure that the enclosed cab or booth: - (a) Is maintained as free as practicable from settled dust; - (b) Has door seals and closing mechanisms that work properly; - (c) Has gaskets and seals that are in good condition and working properly; - (d) Is under positive pressure maintained through continuous delivery of fresh air; - (e) Has intake air that is filtered through a filter that is 95% efficient in the 0.3-10.0 µm range (e.g., MERV-16 or better); and - (f) Has heating and cooling capabiliti

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## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 - 'blasting enclosure' means a chamber, barrel, cabinet or other similar enclosure designed for the purpose of the abrasive blasting of articles; - 'cleaning of castings' means, in connection with the making of metal castings, the freeing of the castings from adherent sand or other substance containing more than 5% uncombined silica, and includes the removal of cores and the general smoothing of the castings when that freeing is done, but does not include the freeing of castings from scale formed during annealing or heat treatment; - 'sandblasting' means an abrasive blasting process that uses sand as an abrasive; - 'silica flour' means the ground material produced by the milling of siliceous rocks or other siliceous substances; - 'silica process' means a process that may release uncombined silica in a crystalline form in concentrations likely to exceed the contamination limits set out in Table 18 of the Appendix, and includes: - (a) sandblasting; - (b) the cleaning of castings; - (c) the abrasive blasting, grinding or dressing of any surface that contains more than 5% uncombined silica, including the engraving or abrasive cleaning of gravestones or structures; - (d) the getting, cutting, splitting, crushing, grinding, milling, drilling, sieving or other mechanical manipulation of gravel or other siliceous stone or rock that contains more than 5% uncombined silica; - (e) any process in which silica flour is used; and - (f) the manufacture of silica-containing bricks and the dismantling or repair of silica-containing refractory linings of furnaces; - 'siliceous substances' includes diatomite; - 'uncombined silica' means silica that is not combined chemically with any other element or compound. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s24-1. ## Application of Part 24-2 This Part applies to any place of employment or worksite where a silica process is used. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s24-2. ## Warning of worker…

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- 1.1. Overview. The term ''silica'' refers specifically to the compound silicon dioxide (SiO2). Silica is a major component of sand, rock, and mineral ores. Exposure to fine (respirable size) particles of crystalline forms of silica is associated with adverse health effects, such as silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and activation of latent TB infections. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can occur in industry settings such as foundries, abrasive blasting operations, paint manufacturing, glass and concrete product manufacturing, brick making, china and pottery manufacturing, manufacturing of plumbing fixtures, and many construction activities including highway repair, masonry, concrete work, rock drilling, and tuck-pointing. New uses of silica continue to emerge. These include countertop manufacturing, finishing, and installation (Kramer et al. 2012; OSHA 2015) and hydraulic fracturing in the oil and gas industry (OSHA 2012). Silicosis is an irreversible, often disabling, and sometimes fatal fibrotic lung disease. Progression of silicosis can occur despite removal from further exposure. Diagnosis of silicosis requires a history of exposure to silica and radiologic findings characteristic of silica exposure. Three different presentations of silicosis (chronic, accelerated, and acute) have been defined. Accelerated and acute silicosis are much less common than chronic silicosis. However, it is critical to recognize all cases of accelerated and acute silicosis because these are life-threatening illnesses and because they are caused by substantial overexposures to respirable crystalline silica. Although any case of silicosis indicates a breakdown in prevention, a case of acute or accelerated silicosis implies current high exposure and a very marked breakdown in prevention. In addition to silicosis, employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica, especially those with accelerated or acute silicosis, are at increased ris…

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- (4) Reassessment of exposures. Reassess exposures whenever a change in the production, process, control equipment, personnel, or work practices may reasonably be expected to result in new or additional exposures at or above the action level, or when there is any reason to believe that new or additional exposures at or above the action level have occurred. - (5) Methods of sample analysis. Ensure that all samples taken to satisfy the monitoring requirements of this rule are evaluated by a laboratory that analyzes air samples for respirable crystalline silica in accordance with the procedures in Appendix A to [redacted phone] - Methods of Sample Analysis to this rule. - (6) Employee notification of assessment results. - (a) Individually notify each affected employee in writing of the results of that assessment or post the results in an appropriate location accessible to all affected employees in accordance with the following: - (A) Construction employers with a NAICS code of 23 must notify affected employees within 5 working days after receiving any results an exposure assessment in accordance with this rule. - (B) All other employers must notify affected employees within 15 working days after receiving any results of an exposure assessment in accordance with this rule. - (b) Whenever an exposure assessment indicates that employee exposure is above the PEL, describe in the written notification the corrective action being taken to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL. - (7) Observation of monitoring. - (a) Where air monitoring is performed to comply with the requirements of this rule, provide affected employees or their designated representatives an opportunity to observe any monitoring of employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica. - (b) When observation of monitoring requires entry into an area where the use of protective clothing or equipment is required for any workplace hazard, provide the observer with protective clothing and equipment at no c…

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S-15.1 REG 10 ## OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY, 2020 ## Use of blasting enclosures - 24-10 An employer or contractor shall ensure that: - (a) to the extent that is practicable, no abrasive blasting of articles that are likely to give rise to dust containing uncombined silica is done other than in a blasting enclosure; - (b) if practicable, no sand or other substance containing more than 1% by weight of uncombined silica is used for abrasive blasting in a blasting enclosure; and - (c) no work is performed in a blasting enclosure except: - (i) abrasive blasting and work immediately incidental to abrasive blasting; and - (ii) cleaning and maintenance of the blasting enclosure, the equipment associated with the blasting enclosure and the ventilation system. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s24-10. ## Sandblasting 24-11 (1) An employer or contractor shall ensure that no sandblasting is done to any article outside a blasting enclosure if it is reasonably practicable to introduce the article into a blasting enclosure. - (2) An employer or contractor shall ensure that no sandblasting is done inside any structure or confined space without: - (a) obtaining the written permission of the director; and - (b) complying with any conditions that the director may specify. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s24-11. ## Silica flour - 24-12 An employer or contractor shall ensure that no silica flour is used: - (a) for any purpose for which a less hazardous substance may be substituted; or - (b) in the manufacture of scouring powder or abrasive soaps or as an abrasive in any process. 31 Dec 2020 c S-15.1 Reg 10 s24-12. ## Medical examinations - 24-13 (1) In this section, 'worker' means a worker who is regularly employed in a silica process. - (2) Not less than once every 2 years and with consent of the worker, the employer shall: - (a) offer to arrange for a medical examination of the worker during the worker's normal working hours; and - (b) reimburse the worker for…

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## Historical Notes for Subdivision Z, Silica Note: On March 25, 2016, federal OSHA adopted final rules for crystalline silica for general industry, construction, and maritime. Before these rules, the only specific rule for crystalline silica was an airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 100 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m 3 ). With the adoption of these rules, federal OSHA lowered the PEL from 100 µg/m3 to 50 µg/m 3 , and instituted an action level of 25 µg/m 3 . These rules require an exposure assessment, with periodic monitoring under certain circumstances, requires engineering and work practice controls to reduce exposure levels, institutes a written exposure control plan, requires provisions for regulating employee access to certain areas, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and employee training and information. The construction rule also lists specific tasks with engineering controls, work practice controls, and respiratory protection for specific tasks that do not require an exposure assessment, and requires that a competent person ensure that the written program and specific tasks are followed. On July 15, 2016 Oregon OSHA proposed to combine the requirements of the general industry and construction rules into one set of rules applicable to both industries, as new Oregon-initiated rules OAR [redacted phone] through [redacted phone]. These Oregon-initiated rules provide the same options for construction employers to use certain specified methods in lieu of an exposure assessment as the federal rules, and a note was added at Table 1 in [redacted phone] Specified exposure control methods, to remind employers that the rest of the rules still apply. Oregon OSHA amended the compliance dates to July 1, 2018 for both general industry and construction. The one effective date, paired with education and outreach, will help increase employer understanding and compliance with the new silica standard. The effective date for medical evaluations …