Dust regulations enforce monitoring

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) RCS dust emissions Final Rule [OSHA 1910.1000 Respirable crystalline silica] compliance deadline for general industry and maritime is 23 June and requires regular monitoring by employers, plus sets personal exposure limits (PEL).

“The RCS regulations are touching a wide range of companies,” said Edwin Peterson, CEO of BossTek. “Some operations can implement a single solution, whereas others create dust throughout the entire process and require unique solutions at each stage.”

Lung exposure

Invisible to the naked eye and able to travel long distances, RCS of PM10 (particulate matter ≤10 microns [μm]) can penetrate the body’s natural defences and reach the lungs. Workers are often unaware of lingering RCS and take off protective masks, risking exposure and potentially contracting silicosis, a chronic and irreparable disease which restricts lung capacity and can lead to life-threatening conditions including pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis and lung cancer.

As well as implementing monitoring and PEL, OSHA advises companies to use engineering controls; provide respirators; limit worker access to high exposure areas; develop a written exposure control plan; offer medical exams to highly exposed workers; and train workers on silica risks and how to limit exposures.

Both Martin Engineering and BossTek (formerly Dust Control Technology) offer equipment to minimise fine particulates and forced downtime.