The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) formally released its final silica rule on March 24. The core provisions of the rule as it was originally proposed in 2013 have remained relatively unchanged. The rule will lower the permissible exposure for crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 μg/cu.m), averaged over an eight-hour shift, from the current 100 μg/cu.m.
Metalcasting businesses also will be required to use engineering controls and work practices to limit worker exposure and access to high exposure areas, train workers, and provide medical exams. The standard for general industry will take effect June 23, 2016, and metalcasters will have two years to come into compliance with most requirements.
The rule was formally published in the Federal Register on March 25 and will be effective in 90 days. Here is the link to the final rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/03/25/2016-04800/occupational-exposure-to-respirable-crystalline-silica
A brief overview of the key provisions contained in the final rule impacting sand casting facilities is below.