Respirable crystalline silica is a naturally occurring component of sand, rock, soil, clay, granite, and other various materials. Employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust are at an increased risk of developing silicosis and other respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and kidney disease.
Symptoms of these diseases may not appear for many years following exposure. Respirable silica is very small and is not visible to the human eye so you may not even be aware you are being exposed.
Effective July 1, 2018, Oregon OSHA (OR-OSHA) began strictly enforcing a new silica standard that applies to all employees working on tasks which disturb silica-containing materials which may lead to exposures which exceed the Action Level (AL) of 25 micrograms per cubic centimeter (µg/m3) of silica compounds of the Permissible Exposure Limit of 50 µg/m3.
Quick Access Links:
OSHA Regulatory Guidance
Silica Competent Persons
PSU Task Specific Written Exposure Control Plan Template
Contractors
Resources | Respiratory Certifications
PSU Silica Exposure Control Plan
To ensure compliance with OR-OSHA, and for the continued safety and health of employees and campus community members, EHS provides support to construction and maintenance projects which may involve impacting respirable crystalline silica containing materials. This includes the Silica Exposure Control Plan (SECP), which provides a template for work practices to minimize the potential for exposure to silica-containing materials.
A complete copy of the SECP may be requested by contacting EHS.
Respiratory Protection
Beginning July 1, 2018 respiratory protection will be required during certain activities when prescribed by Table 1 (see below), or during initial exposure assessments.
Medical clearance and fit testing are required in order to be able to wear respiratory protection. These clearances are performed by Kaiser Permanente’s Occupational Health Department. Medical clearance may take many weeks so early application is encouraged.
For more information on the use of respiratory protection please visit the Respiratory Protection Program webpage.
Details for obtaining respirator certification may be found below under Resources.