Pit & Quarry, October 2017
DUST CONTROL enforced and complied with adding that silica related disease has dropped dramatically over the course of four decades since a PEL was put in place Enforcement of the OSHA standard was slated to come online early this summer but the agency delayed enforcement to conduct additional outreach and provide educational materials and guidance for employers At press time the standard was still slated to be enforced Sept 23 for the construction sector with enforcement for general industry commencing June 23 2018 Some OSHA state plan states including Virginia began enforcement in construction on June 23 of this year MEASURES TO TAKE Mine operators are already required to provide training on potential silica hazards as part of MSHAs mandated hazard communication training but those who operate a pit or quarry would be wise to familiarize themselves with OSHAs standard so theyre best prepared when an applicable rule arrives For example construction employers are required under OSHA to establish and implement a written exposure control plan that identifies tasks that involve exposure and methods used Double Team Dangerous Tramp Metals Eriez Suspended Magnets and Metal Detectors remove tramp metals before they reach your valuable crushers and downstream SUSPENDED MAGNET 1200 SERIES METAL DETECTOR 888 300 3743 www eriez com Suspended Magnets Metal Detectors s s Heavy Duty Feeders equipment Download Do C Catalogs Product S Selection Guides A variety of sources produce dust in an aggregate operation including crushing equipment and conveyor belt transfer points 26 PIT QUARRY October 2017 pitandquarry com PHOTO BY KEVIN YANIK to protect workers including procedures to restrict access to work areas where high exposures may occur These employers are also expected to designate a competent person to implement the written exposure control plan In addition housekeeping practices that expose workers to silica where feasible alternatives are available is restricted Employers are required to offer medical exams as well These exams are mandated every three years for workers who are required by the standard to wear a respirator for 30 or more days per year in construction or for workers foreseeably exposed above the action level for 30 or more days annually Another OSHA requirement is for employers to train employees on tasks that result in silica exposure and ways to limit exposure Employers are expected to keep records of workers silica exposure and medical exams
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