1.0 Purpose

Protect employee health and comply with OSHA regulation (29 CFR 1926.1153)

PEL: 50 μg/m³ (8-hour TWA)

AL: 25 μg/m³ (8-hour TWA)

2.0 Scope

Applies to all employees and subcontractors

Includes silica-generating tasks such as cutting, drilling, grinding concrete, stone, asphalt, jackhammering, and dry mixing

3.0 Definitions

Respirable Crystalline Silica: Quartz, cristobalite, and/or tridymite contained in airborne particles that are determined to be respirable by a sampling device designed to meet the characteristics for respirable-particle-size-selective samplers specified in ISO 7708:1995.

Action Level (AL): An airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica of 25 μg/m³, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): An airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica of 50 μg/m³, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.

Competent Person: An individual who is capable of identifying existing and foreseeable respirable crystalline silica hazards in the workplace and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or minimize them.

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter: A filter that is at least 99.97 percent efficient in removing particles 0.3 micrometers in diameter.

4.0 Responsibilities

4.1 Competent Person

The designated Competent Person for this plan shall be identified for each project/site and is responsible for:

1. Making frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment

2. Identifying existing and foreseeable respirable crystalline silica hazards

3. Having authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate hazards

4. Implementing and enforcing engineering and work practice controls

5. Ensuring employees receive required training

4.2 Site Manager

1. Ensure implementation of this Exposure Control Plan at the job site

2. Provide resources for engineering controls and PPE

3. Coordinate medical surveillance scheduling

4. Maintain exposure records and documentation

4.3 Employees

1. Follow all procedures outlined in this plan

2. Use engineering controls and PPE as required

3. Participate in training and medical surveillance

4. Report any concerns regarding silica exposure to supervisor

5.0 Process - Tasks and Engineering Controls

The following identifies tasks covered by this plan and the required engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection in accordance with OSHA Table 1 (29 CFR 1926.1153(c)):

5.1 Alternative Exposure Control Methods

For tasks not listed in Table 1, or when Table 1 controls are not feasible, exposure shall be assessed and controlled as follows:

1. Assess the exposure of each employee who is or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level

2. Implement engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL

3. Where engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient, provide respiratory protection

Table 1: Tasks, Engineering Controls, Work Practices, and Respiratory Protection

6.0 Exposure Assessment

When employees may be exposed to silica, the competent person shall assess exposure levels by either:

Fully and properly implementing the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified in Table 1.

7.0 Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection shall be provided in accordance with HSC Procedure No. 2.7 (Personal Protective Equipment) when:

1. Required by Table 1

2. Exposure exceeds the PEL during periods necessary to install or implement engineering or work practice controls

3. Engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce exposure to or below the PEL 4. During emergencies where exposure risk is elevated or controls are not yet in place

Respirator Selection:

APF 10: N95 filtering facepiece or half-mask respirator with N95 or better filters

APF 25: Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) with HEPA filters

APF 50: Full facepiece respirator with N100, R100, or P100 filters

8.0 Housekeeping

To minimize exposure during cleanup:

1. Use HEPA-filtered vacuuming equipment for all silica-containing dust

2. Use wet sweeping or water spray methods to suppress dust

3. NEVER use compressed air for cleaning unless combined with a ventilation system designed to capture the dust cloud

4. NEVER use dry sweeping or dry brushing where effective alternatives are available

5. Ensure all dust is properly disposed of in sealed containers

9.0 Medical Surveillance

Free medical exams for respirator users wearing protection 30+ days/year

Initial exam: history, lung function, X-ray, tuberculosis test

Periodic exam: every 3 years

10.0 Employee Information and Training

In accordance with HSC Procedure No. 1.6 (Training, Awareness and Competence for HSE), all employees who may be exposed to respirable crystalline silica shall receive training that includes:

1. Health hazards associated with silica exposure, including silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease

2. Tasks that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica

3. Specific engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection used to limit exposure

4. Contents of the OSHA standard (29 CFR 1926.1153)

5. Purpose and description of the medical surveillance program

6. Identity of the competent person designated for the project/site

7. Access to this written exposure control plan

Training shall be provided initially and whenever there is a change in job tasks, equipment, or controls.

11.0 Recordkeeping

Exposure records: keep 30 years

Medical records: keep duration of employment + 30 years

Training records: keep 3 years

Appendix A: Silica Awareness Training Record

Topics Covered:

☐ Health hazards of crystalline silica

☐ Tasks that may result in silica exposure

☐ Engineering and work practice controls

☐ Respiratory protection requirements

☐ Medical surveillance program

☐ Location of Written Exposure Control Plan

Employee Attendance: