ABC sets the industry standard for workplace safety. ABC members receive regular updates on upcoming revisions to safety standards as well as improvement tools for proactive safety culture advancement.  Keeping our greatest asset; the employee,  engaged in safety creates the winning combination which we all strive for.  The effect of this is a reduction in accidents, improved company morale, and sustainable growth.  This means your business is more productive, as well as more profitable.

ABC Safety Committee – ABC Safety Committee meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am. We had great turnouts the last couple of meetings in April and we want to thank everyone who took the time and effort to attend the meeting. There was some great discussion on  safety culture programs, slips/trips and falls. You are invited to come participate in these meetings, YOUR VOICE MATTERS! 

We have now reached the time when the updated OSHA rule on Silica has taken affect. General industry and Maritime companies not only need to have their plan in place, but they need to be practicing it as well. The standard 29 CFR 1910.1053 requires employers to:

§ Assess employee exposures to silica if it may be at or above an action level of 25 µg/m3 (micrograms of silica per cubic meter of air), averaged over an 8-hour day;

§ Protect workers from respirable crystalline silica exposures above the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3, averaged over an 8-hour day;

§ Limit workers' access to areas where they could be exposed above the PEL;

§ Use dust controls to protect workers from silica exposures above the PEL;

§ Provide respirators to workers when dust controls cannot limit exposures to the PEL;

§ Use housekeeping methods that do not create airborne dust, if feasible;

§ Establish and implement a written exposure control plan that identifies tasks that involve exposure and methods used to protect workers;

§ Offer medical exams - including chest X-rays and lung function tests - every three years for workers exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year;

§ Train workers on work operations that result in silica exposure and ways to limit exposure; and

§ Keep records of exposure measurements, objective data, and medical exams.

Medical surveillance must be offered to employees who will be exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year starting on June 23, 2020. (Medical surveillance must be offered to employees who will be exposed above the PEL for 30 or more days a year (Went into effect on June 23, 2018.)

While silica exposure is generally down due to better practices, employers must evaluate processes and procedures to ensure they are preventing exposure. Prevention is the key, using water or vacuum is the best prevention, PPE such as respirators can fall short from improper use or type. Removing the employee decision will have the highest chance of success. Employers are responsible for the actions and inaction of the employees.

Silica can cause cancers, silicosis, bronchial disease, and kidney diseases. These are debilitating illnesses that result in early deaths. They cost employers millions, but the cost to the employee is much higher. There is no cure, only prevention. If you work with silica that may become silica dust through a high energy process like cutting, drilling, grinding, or crushing talk to your employer or safety professional to discuss what can be done to prevent your exposure.

To address the education needs regarding the above regulation, please contact us here at ABC, we have a number of plans available.  If you have any questions and/or concerns, please reach out directly to me for information or on site training opportunities.

Scott.McKinnon@abcutah.org

Safety Services – Are you in need of safety services for your company? Did you know that as a member of ABC there are safety services available to your company? ABC’s safety services range from a company evaluation and job site inspection to economically priced safety consulting services. Please feel free to reach out to Scott McKinnon the ABC Workforce and Safety Education director and get started with your assessment. Have an incredibly, safe, hydrated, summer!

Scott McKinnon - 801-699-2318 – Scott.McKinnon@abcutah.org