Crystalline Silica is a common mineral found in the dust on construction sites that can pose serious threats to those exposed.  OSHA released new standards restricting the amount of silica workers can be exposed to on the job.  Per the OSHA standards set forth, industry and maritime medical surveillance must “be made available to employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level of 25 μg/m3 as an 8-hour TWA [total weight average] for 30 or more days per year.”

If respirable silica is present in the workplace, workers should be monitored for silica exposure, cleared to wear a respirator and be fitted for a respirator to protect their health while they’re at work.