OSHA Issues First Silica Rule Enforcement Guidance

Before starting full enforcement of the construction silica rule on Oct. 23, OSHA late Oct. 19 issued interim enforcement guidance for inspectors checking projects for excess concentrations of the hazardous particles.

The guidance is intended for Occupational Safety and Health Administration staff. However, employers and workers can use the information to judge if they are meeting the agency’s requirements and learn what to expect during an inspection.

Development of the final version of the enforcement guidance is ongoing.

Flow Charts, Initial Steps

Among the guidance’s directions for inspectors are two flow charts explaining how an inspection should proceed depending ...