New OSHA Standards for Respirable Silica

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is now enforcing two new standards for respirable crystalline silica exposure: one for general industry and maritime, and the other for the construction industry. The major differences between the two are the enforcement dates and the use of a table for the construction industry to allow contractors to tailor compliance to the specific conditions of their jobsites. OSHA’s new respirable crystalline silica exposure and compliance standards for the construction industry took effect on June 23, 2016, and enforcement began on September 23, 2017. OSHA began enforcing the new standards for general industry and maritime on June 23, 2018. Given that OSHA has begun enforcement activity, parties subject to OSHA inspections and compliance must now implement compliance measures.