CFR 185 - Respirable Crystalline Silica

On March 25, 2016, OSHA revised Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1910.1053 (General Industry), 1915.1053 (Shipyard Employment) and 1926.1153 (Construction) to add new substance-specific standards for occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (Federal Register). These standards establish an action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter (25 μg/m3 ) as an eight hour time-weighted average and a permissible exposure limit 50 μg/m3 as an eight hour time-weighted average. Changes were also made to 29 CFR 1910.1000 - Air contaminants, Table Z-3 - Mineral Dusts, to 29 CFR 1915.1000 - Air contaminants, Mineral Dusts table, and to Appendix A of 29 CFR 1926.55 - Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists to reference the new standard for each part. The N.C. Commissioner of Labor adopted this final rule with an effective date of September 2, 2016. Access earlier Federal Registers including Preamble. 

Also reference CPL 02-02-080 - Inspection Procedures for Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards, OPN 135 - Health Hazards Special Emphasis Program, CFR 185A - Respirable Crystalline Silica, and CFR 185B - Respirable Crystalline Silica. Additional information and resources can be found on the safety and health topic page for Silica, Chemical Hazards and Toxic Substances and Health Hazards Special Emphasis Program. To identify whether this rule applies to you, go to "Do your employees have occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica?" for general industry, "Do your employees have occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica?" for construction or "Do your employees have occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica?" for shipyard employment.