Water Well Journal
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/752472
their level of exposure, including exposures generated by other employers. Competent person: Someone designated for construc- tion work sites who has the responsibility to implement the written exposure control plan. A competent person as defined by OSHA is: "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." Regulated areas: Must be demarcated when reasonably expected to be in excess of the permissible exposure limit. Signs marked "DANGER" must be posted at all entrances to regulated areas. This provision applies to general industry work sites, but does not apply to construction work sites. However, the silica standard for construction requires the exposure control plan include procedures to restrict access to work areas to minimize the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica. Methods of compliance: Feasible engineering controls must be implemented to reduce exposures to or below the per- missible exposure limit. When it is not feasible to do so, the employer must reduce exposures to the lowest achievable levels and supplement such engineering and work practice controls with respiratory protection. Specified exposure control methods: The construc- tion standard specifies 18 tasks and prescribes the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection for each task. The employer is not required to perform an exposure as- sessment or limit exposures when engaged in these specified tasks—provided the employer has fully and properly imple- mented the engineering controls, work practices, and respira- tory protection as specified for these tasks in the construction standard. OSHA permits employers of general industry to follow the construction standard rather than the general industry standard when the tasks specified in the construction standard are in- distinguishable from the tasks performed at the general indus- try work site. This option is permitted by general industry employers only when the tasks are not performed regularly in the same environment and conditions—for example, maintenance and repair tasks. Housekeeping: Dry sweeping or dry brushing is not al- lowed unless wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming, or other methods minimizing the likelihood of exposure are not feasible. Compressed air shall not be used to clean clothing or surfaces where such activity could contribute to exposure to respirable crystalline silica unless effective local exhaust ven- tilation is used or there is no feasible alternative method. Medical surveillance: For general industry work sites, medical surveillance examinations shall be made available to employees who will be occupationally exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year. For construction work sites, medical surveillance examina- tions shall be made available to employees who are required to use a respirator for 30 or more days a year. Twitter @WaterWellJournl WWJ December 2016 43 SAFETY continues on page 44