If your company is involved in tasks that produce silica dust such as using masonry saws, grinders, drills, jackhammers and handheld powered chipping tools; operating vehicle-mounted drilling rigs; milling; operating crushing machines; and using heavy equipment for demolition or certain other tasks, then project managers, foremen, superintendents, and workers should receive training before being assigned work. In addition your written Silica Control Plan should address:
- Identification of materials and operations that create silica hazards
- Methods to control the silica hazards –
- Control methods from the OSHA Crystalline Silica Rule Table 1*
- or, if you do not want to use methods in the Table, then Alternate Exposure Control Methods must be implemented
- Regardless of the exposure method used your written plan should include:
- Designated competent person
- Housekeeping practices
- Medical examinations
- Worker training
- proper use of equipment,
- health risks
- protective clothing
- appropriate hygiene practices
- Record keeping
The professional staff at Connecticut Training and Consulting Institute (CTTCI) can provide expert assistance in evaluating, developing, and implementing your Silica Control Plan including training your employees. For more information call CTTCI at (860)342-4382.
*Table 1 matches common construction tasks with dust control methods, so employers know exactly what they need to do to limit worker exposures to silica.
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