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DOL/OSHA | RIN: 1218-AB70 | Publication ID: Fall 2002 |
Title: Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica | |
Abstract: Crystalline silica is a significant component of the earth's crust, and many workers in a wide range of industries are exposed to it, usually in the form of respirable quartz or, less frequently, cristobalite. Chronic silicosis is a uniquely occupational disease resulting from exposure of employees over long periods of time (10 years or more). Exposure to high levels of respirable crystalline silica causes acute or accelerated forms of silicosis that are ultimately fatal. The current OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for general industry is based on a formula recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) in 1971 [PEL=10mg/cubic meter/(%silica + 2), as respirable dust]. The current PEL for construction and maritime (derived from ACGIH's 1962 Threshold Limit Value) is based on particle counting technology, which is considered obsolete. NIOSH and ACGIH recommend a 50ug/m3 exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica. Both industry and worker groups have recognized that a comprehensive standard for crystalline silica is needed to provide for exposure monitoring, medical surveillance, and worker training. The American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) recently published a final recommended standard to address the hazards of crystalline silica. The Building Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO has also developed a recommended comprehensive program standard. These standards include provisions for methods of compliance, exposure monitoring, training, and medical surveillance. In developing a proposed standard, OSHA is currently considering several options ranging from proposing comprehensive standards simultaneously for general industry, construction, and maritime, to focusing the proposal on one or more specific issues, such as modernizing the construction and maritime PELs or standardizing sampling and employee exposures. OSHA is continuing to coordinate closely with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in collecting and developing information for a proposed standard. | |
Agency: Department of Labor(DOL) | Priority: Economically Significant |
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda | Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage |
Major: Yes | Unfunded Mandates: Undetermined |
CFR Citation: 29 CFR 1910 29 CFR 1915 29 CFR 1917 29 CFR 1918 29 CFR 1926 | |
Legal Authority: 29 USC 655(b) 29 USC 657 |
Legal Deadline:
None |
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Statement of Need: Over 2 million workers are exposed to crystalline silica dust in general industry, construction and maritime industries. Industries that could be particularly affected by a standard for crystalline silica include: foundries, industries that have abrasive blasting operation, paint manufacture, glass and concrete product manufacture, brick making, china and pottery manufacture, manufacture of plumbing fixtures, and many construction activities including highway repair, masonry, concrete work, rock drilling, and tuckpointing. The seriousness of the health hazards associated with silica exposure is demonstrated by the fatalities and disabling illnesses that continue to occur. Between 1990 and 1996, 200 to 300 deaths per year are known to have occurred where silicosis was identified on death certificates as an underlying or contributing cause. It is likely that many more cases have occurred where silicosis went undetected. In addition, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has designated crystalline silica as a known human carcinogen. Exposure to crystalline silica has also been associated with an increased risk of developing tuberculosis and other nonmalignant respiratory diseases. Exposure studies and OSHA enforcement data indicate that some workers continue to be exposed to levels of crystalline silica far in excess of current exposure limits. Congress has recently included compensation of silicosis victims on Federal nuclear testing sites in the Energy Employees' Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000. There is a particular need for the Agency to modernize its exposure limits for construction and maritime, and to address some specific issues that will need to be resolved to propose a comprehensive standard. |
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Summary of the Legal Basis: The legal basis for the proposed rule is a preliminary determination that workers are exposed to a significant risk of silicosis and other serious disease and that rulemaking is needed to substantially reduce the risk. In addition, the proposed rulemaking will recognize that the PELs for construction and maritime are outdated and need to be revised to reflect current sampling and analytical technologies. |
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Alternatives: Over the past several years, the Agency has attempted to address this problem through a variety of nonregulatory approaches, including initiation of a Special Emphasis Program on silica in October 1997, sponsorship with NIOSH and MSHA of the National Conference to Eliminate Silicosis, and dissemination of guidance information on its Web site. OSHA has determined that rulemaking is a necessary step to ensure that workers are protected from the hazards of crystalline silica. The Agency is currently evaluating several options for the scope of the rulemaking. |
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Anticipated Costs and Benefits: The scope of the proposed rulemaking is still under development, and estimates of the costs and benefits have not yet been developed. |
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Risks: A detailed risk analysis has not yet been completed for this rule. |
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Timetable:
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes | Government Levels Affected: Undetermined |
Small Entities Affected: Businesses | Federalism: No |
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes | |
Agency Contact: Steven F. Witt Director, Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs Department of Labor 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Room N-3700, FP Building, Washington, DC 20210 Phone:202 693-2200 Fax:202 693-1671 Email: witt.steven@dol.gov |