Respirable Crystalline SilicaStrategies for Compliance & Effective

Exposure Control PlansAbby Ferri, CSP, The Ferri Group

Mark Cunningham, B&C Business Manager, Nilfisk, Inc.

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PresentersAbby Ferri, CSP is the President of The Ferri Group LLC, holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Health and Safety, is an OSHA Outreach Trainer for Construction, and a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). She is responsible for risk control, program development, training and regulatory compliance for construction, manufacturing, energy, beverage, hospitality, and retail clients throughout the United States and Canada. Abby is also an Adjunct Instructor in the Construction Management Program at Dunwoody College of Technology. Her previous experience includes managing corporate safety, health, and environment programs as Safety Director for a civil engineering contractor and managing risk control services for nationwide accounts as a Risk Control Consultant for large insurance carriers.

Mark Cunningham, Nilfisk Inc., Business Development Manager, Building & Construction, has more than 30 years’ experience in various facets of the building and construction industry, Mark is uniquely aware of the many hazards associated with job sites, industrial facilities, bridge and marine construction, and infrastructure. With Nilfisk, he is responsible for market strategy and product development specific to solving silica dust challenges in the building and construction, general industry, maritime and fracturing markets.

Steve Mitchell, Nilfisk Inc., Sales Training Manager, is responsible for training internal and external Nilfisk associates on applications, regulations and products related to industrial cleaning and dust mitigation through the Americas. He has worked with hundreds of companies and helped them map their way to compliance. Nilfisk is a leading supplier of cleaning equipment globally.

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Disclaimer• Nilfisk, Inc., The Ferri Group and the presenters here are NOT

authorized to approve equipment for your facility or job site.

• The opinions discussed in this webinar are our OPINIONS alone.

• You should consult with your employer or designated “competent person” before determining the safest, “approved” solution for your facility.

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Learning Objectives• Describe the requirements of an RCS Exposure

Control Plan• Review & understand Table 1• Understand your requirements for exposure

assessment• Understand requirements for and appropriate

tools for dust mitigation and housekeeping• Identify resources for further study

QUICK BACKGROUND ON NEW STANDARD

Just in case…

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Effective Dates • June 23, 2016: 1926.1153 is effective• Sept 23, 2017: All obligations, except for

methods of sample analysis (Appx A)• June 23, 2018: Methods of sample

analysis

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Where to find the rule

• 606 pages, final rule + preamble – https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/20

16/03/25/2016-04800/occupational-exposure-to-respirable-crystalline-silica

• 26 page regulatory text– https://www.osha.gov/silica/SilicaConstruct

ionRegText.pdf

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Exposure levels

• Expressed as 8-hour TWA• PEL = 50 micrograms/m3

• Action Level = 25 micrograms/m3

• OSHA says exposure at this level is still significant, but is lowest level feasible

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Exclusions

• If exposure stays below 25 micrograms/m3 as 8-hour TWA under “any foreseeable conditions”

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Objective Data• If under 25 micrograms/m3 exception, no

objective data required to support. • When done in isolation, do not generate

significant exposures:– Mixing mortar– Pouring concrete footers, foundation– Removal of concrete formwork

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OSHA’s Objective Data• OSHA’s exposure monitoring found < AL

– Drilling holes in concrete or masonry– Other tasks involving silica exposure done by

carpenters, plumbers, and electricians– “occasional, brief exposures to” RCS

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OSHA’s Objective Data

• Dry drilling on a wall on lower level of a concrete parking garage with poor air circulation• 300 micrograms/m3, 15 minutes• 19 micrograms/m3 8-hour TWA

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OSHA - Drywall Finishing• Per the Preamble, not included in Table 1• <0.5% silica found in drywall compounds

from retail stores tested by NIOSH• Use silica-free materials or engineering

controls

TABLE 1

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Table 1• “Fully and properly implemented”• Not required to separately comply with PEL,

exposure assessment, or methods– https://theferrigroup.co/resources/

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1926.1153(c)(1) Table 1• 18 instances of equipment/task,

engineering and work practice controls, and respiratory protection with APF– Water delivery systems, dust collection, and

HEPA-filtered vacuums.– 99% or greater efficiency or filter-cleaning

mechanisms specified

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Table 1 – Suggested Approach

• Identify tasks that could expose employees to RCS

• Compare task list to Table 1• Implement Table 1 controls• Suggest using contract language to

ensure subs responsible for following Table 1

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1926.1153(c)(1) Table 1• Indoor or enclosed area tasks require

means of exhaust to minimize accumulation of “visible airborne dust”

• Work practice controls to limit entry to indoor/enclosed areas with RCS exposure

• GC//Area ventilation? Business decision.

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Emphasis on Engineering• Reliable, predictable, consistent

• Can monitor continually and easily

• Not susceptible to human error

• Lowers exposure for others

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Wet/HEPA Methods• Not safe and effective in all situations• Standard allows for dry sweeping, dry

brushing, or compressed air for cleaning• OSHA expects this to be “extremely

limited”• Must use ventilation + compressed air

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Alternative Exposure Control• When tasks are not listed on Table 1• When employer does not “fully and

properly implement” Table 1 controls

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Alternative Exposure Control

• Performance Option– Assess 8-hour TWA for

each employee using air monitoring and/or objective data

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Alternative Exposure Control• Scheduled Monitoring Option (part 1)

– Initial 8-hour TWA for each employee, 1 or more breathing zone samples, each shift, each job, each work area

– Representative samples may be done

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Alternative Exposure Control• Scheduled Monitoring Option (part 2)

– If initial monitoring < Action Level, discontinue monitoring.

– If at or above AL, but at or below PEL, repeat within 6 months.

– If above PEL, repeat monitoring w/in 3 months

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Alternative Exposure Control• Scheduled Monitoring Option

– Most recent, non-initial below AL, repeat within 6 months until 2 consecutive measurements, 7 or more days apart, are <AL

– Monitoring can then be discontinued unless otherwise required.

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Alternative Exposure Control• Scheduled Monitoring Option

– Reassess when changes in production, process, controls, personnel, or work practices could result in new or + exposures or if exposures could have occurred.

– Labs must follow Appendix A.

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Employee Notification

• Within five working days• In writing• Post results• Include corrective actions when

over PEL

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR DUST CONTROL

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Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems (LEV)

• Recommended for construction applications with concrete grinders, cut-off saws and tuck-pointing

• LEV dust control includes a shroud that encloses most of the grinding wheel, a length of flexible hose, and an industrial vacuum cleaner

• System can reduce respirable crystalline silica dust exposure by 5-20 times

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Housekeeping Procedures• Prohibits the use of the following

methods for cleaning surfaces and clothing*:

– Compressed air

– Dry brushing

– Dry sweeping

• Promotes the use of wet methods and HEPA-filtered vacuuming for all housekeeping involving silica dust collection

* Unless recommended methods are not feasible

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Vacuum Filtration Requirements

• For cleanup, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. According to OSHA’s definition, a HEPA filter is 99.97% efficient in removing particles of 0.3 micron in diameter. True HEPAs are individually tested and certified by a 3rd party.

• For dust collectors, filters with a capture efficiency of 99 percent or greater for “respirable particulate” (Example, filter efficiency range from 99% @ 0.5 micron to 99.97% @ 3 micron)

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Importance of Filtration

• Multi-stage/graduated filtration• HEPA/ULPA efficiency• Filter cleaning options• Maintenance indicators• Large surface area (Low ATC Air-to-Cloth ratio)

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Dust Collection at Grinder Requirements

• Minimum 25 CFM per inch of grinding blade diameter

• Equipped with a cyclonic pre-separator to collect large debris before the air reaches the filters or be equipped with a filter cleaning mechanism (like PullClean or InfiniClean)

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Additional Vacuum Requirements

• Central vacuum systems allowed, but must discharge respirable crystalline silica outside of the workplace

• The hose connecting the tool to the vacuum must be intact and without kinks or tight bends that would prevent the vacuum from providing the air flow recommended by the tool manufacturer

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Features of Industrial Strength Vacuums

• Rugged, durable construction• Collection options• Wet/dry models• Ergonomic design• Auto tool outlet• Low decibel level• Pressure gauge

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Recommended Work Practices• Keep the exhaust entry point flat against

the surface.

• Shake the hose as needed to loosen the settled dust and prevent the hose from clogging.

• Work against the rotation of the blade. The tool must be flat and positioned so that the dust from grinding is blown into the exhaust hose.

• Change vacuum cleaner bags before they leak, break, or cause too much resistance to air flow.

• Put the vacuum cleaner below the work level to keep dust from falling out of the hose.

• Even when the amount of hazardous dust has been decreased by the control, less restrictive respirators may still be necessary.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

WRITTEN EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

1926.1153(g)

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Identification of Tasks• Tasks that involve RCS exposure• Use current scope, tasks, JHA/JSAs

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Description of Controls• Refer to Table 1• For tasks not on Table 1,

indicate controls that will be used and where/if engineering controls are not feasible

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Controls• Engineering and work

practice controls unless not feasible

• If controls do not reduce exposure to at or below PEL = respiratory protection

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(Respiratory Protection)• Comply with 1910.134 when Table 1 requires

respirators• Wear when Table 1 controls not fully and

properly implemented• Wear when installing or implementing feasible

engineering and work practice controls• When PEL is exceeded

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(Respiratory Protection)• Employer is in compliance when respiratory

protection is worn as prescribed in Table 1 and following 1910.134

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Housekeeping Measures• Include any instances that compressed air,

dry sweeping, or dry brushing will be used.

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Procedures to Restrict Access

• Multi-Employer Worksites– OSHA expects employers or competent

person(s) to work with GC to avoid high exposures of employees working alongside others generating RCS.

• OSHA suggestion: work scheduling to avoid exposure

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Review & Availability of Plan• Indicate how plan will be

available for viewing, copying, etc by employees, designees, OSHA

• Review as operations change…

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Competent Person• Designate a CP who can implement the

employer’s written exposure control plan regardless of size of employer– Smaller companies may need more people trained to

competency level

SUMMARYRespirable Crystalline Silica

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Exposure Control Program Identify tasks with RCS Compare the tasks to Table 1 Update Respiratory Protection Program if needed Invest in efficient, compliant tools

Implement Alternative Controls Conduct training Evaluate & Adjust

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Resources• Special Emphasis Program

(1996), Silica eTool: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/etools/silica/spec_emph_prog/spec_emph_prog.html

• ASTM E2625-09 Standard Practice for Controlling Occupational Exposure to RCS for Construction and Demolition Activities: http://www.astm.org/Standards/E2625.htm

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Resources• CPWR Create-A-Plan: http://plan.silica-safe.org/

• https://www.osha.gov/silica/

• http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/silica/

• http://news.Nilfiskcfm.com, search “Silica” for up-to-date info on the standard

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Questions & Thank You

Abby Ferri, CSPwww.theferrigroup.coText: 612‐567‐9981

@theferrigroup

AbbyCSP

Mark Cunninghamwww.nilfiskindustrialvacuums.comMark.Cunningham@nilfisk.com

@nilfiskvacsUS

Nilfisk Industrial Vacuums