DOL Announces Emphasis Program for Silica

Tuesday, December 24, 2019 | 0

The U.S. Department of Labor last week announced plans to launch a new national emphasis program for silica, according to a National Public Radio report.

The new emphasis program will require that 2% of all workplace inspections by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration be conducted where there is an elevated risk of silica exposure.

OHSA informed lawmakers that it believes the majority of inspections will occur in construction because construction sites are where most occupational exposures to silica happen. OSHA will also target iron foundries, pipe manufacturing, machine shops and countertop fabrication shops.