OCCUSAFE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
Important Ideas in
Industrial Hygiene and Safety in Construction
March 2017
IN THIS ISSUE: Competent Person in Construction Silica Standard
Construction companies whose employees’ work with concrete, cement, or sand must be in compliance with OSHA’s new OSHA’s new Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard by June 23, 2017. The purpose is to decrease the occurrence of disease in workers by limiting their exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Silica has been shown to cause cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease.
As part of the standard a component person must be designated who is capable of identifying existing and foreseeable respirable crystalline silica hazards in the workplace. He/she must have the authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or minimize these hazards. By way of training and/or experience, a competent person is knowledgeable of applicable standards and can help the employer fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified for the task in Table 1 of the standard, “Specified Exposure Control Methods When Working With Materials Containing Crystalline Silica.”
Although not specifically required, appointing a person such as a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), or other recognized certification or degree is preferred. OccuSafe Industrial Hygiene & Safety can conduct required air monitoring and help you be compliant with all aspects of the new standard. Contact us at occusafe@occusafeinc.com or through our website at https://www.occusafeinc.com.
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