The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has delayed enforcement of the crystalline silica standard.
The move is to allow additional outreach and provide educational materials and guidance for employers.
The agency has determined that additional guidance is necessary due to the unique nature of the requirements in the construction standard.
Originally scheduled to begin June 23, 2017, enforcement of the standard will now begin September 23, 2017.
OSHA expects employers in the construction industry to continue to take steps either to come into compliance with the new permissible exposure limit, or to implement specific dust controls for certain operations as provided in Table 1 of the standard.
Construction employers should also continue to prepare to implement the standard’s other requirements, including exposure assessment, medical surveillance and employee training.
