Under the new OSHA rule, employers shall establish and implement a written exposure control plan that contains at least the following elements:
- A description of the tasks in the workplace that involve exposure to respirable crystalline silica;
- A description of the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica for each task;
- A description of the housekeeping measures used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica; and
- A description of the procedures used to restrict access to work areas, when necessary, to minimize the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica and their level of exposure, including exposures generated by other employers or sole proprietors.
The employer shall review and evaluate the effectiveness of the written exposure control plan at least annually and update it as necessary.
The employer shall make the written exposure control plan readily available for examination and copying, upon request, to each employee covered by this section, their designated representatives, the Assistant Secretary and the Director. The employer shall designate a competent person to make frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment to implement the written exposure control plan.
