ASSP's Industrial Hygiene Practice Specialty has developed a resource guide for contractors that pulls together frequently asked questions about complying with OSHA’s silica standard. The guide addresses issues such as air sampling, the use and sources of objective data, medical surveillance, respirator use and exposure control plans. It also contains links to a wide range of resources that provide detailed information, including OSHA documents, voluntary national consensus standards and tools created by key stakeholder organizations.

"The construction silica regulation is a complex, performance-oriented regulation that gives contractors flexibility for compliance. However, this flexibility also requires contractors to ensure that selected compliance methods protect workers to the maximum extent feasible," the guide explains. "Contractors should use all available resources, including insurance loss control, private consultants, OSHA consultation, university programs and tool manufacturers, in developing their programs and addressing concerns."

Download the guide.