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There's an important update I need to share with you:
DOL Issues New Memo on OSHA Silica Enforcement
Enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) silica standard as it applies to the construction industry will begin on Sept. 23.
Last evening, the U.S. Department of Labor's Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Thomas Galassi issued a
memorandum on enforcement policy for the construction industry. The memo to regional administrators states:
During the first 30 days of enforcement, OSHA will carefully evaluate good faith efforts taken by employers in their attempts to meet the new construction silica standard.
OSHA will render compliance assistance and outreach to assure that covered employers are fully and properly complying with its requirements. Given the novelty of the Table 1 approach, OSHA will pay particular attention to assisting employers in fully and properly implementing the controls in the table. OSHA will assist employers who are making good faith efforts to meet the new requirements to assure understanding
and compliance.
If, upon inspection, it appears an employer is not making any efforts to comply, OSHA's inspection will not only include collection of exposure air monitoring performed in accordance with Agency procedures, but those employers may also be considered for citation.
Any proposed citations related to inspections conducted in this time period will require National Office review.
To ensure effective implementation of the new standard, OSHA has developed interim inspection and citation guidance to be released prior to termination of this memorandum. The compliance directive will be finalized thereafter.
Silica remains a top priority for ABC National and we continue to have conversations with the U.S. Department of Labor. We will update you with any new developments.
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