for IH and EHS Professionals

YOU CAN FIND HELP WITH EVERY ASPECT OF THE NEW SILICA RULE – ALL IN ONE PLACE

In complying with the complexity of OSHA’s new silica rule, you want a partner that you’re sure understands and can handle every aspect of what’s needed.

• A partner that meets all of the new laboratory qualifications for silica
• Laboratory professionals to provide expertise unsurpassed in the industry
• Two x-ray diffraction (XRD) instruments run consistently and analyses remain 100 percent on time
• Sampling pumps and media specifically designed to match the new requirements to easily monitor any silica dust hazard
• Compliance kits that provide dust and silica monitoring, as well as noise monitoring to cover reporting requirements

Following is an overview of the new rule and lab qualifications, all met by SGS Galson, or you can read the entire OSHA final silica rule standard here; but we must warn you, it is over 1,700 pages! That’s why SGS Galson is here for you.

The New Silica Rule

The new provisions to the standard could affect 2.3 million workers of which two million work in construction.  The new rule is actually two new standards, one for construction and the other for general industry and maritime.  Although there are two separate standards, there is a great deal of overlap in the requirements, which include:

• Small-business employers can use specified dust control methods in lieu of sampling
• Must have a written exposure plan
• Must define housekeeping practices
• Must offer medical exams
• Must train workers
• Must keep records
• New PEL (8 hour TWA) is 50 ug/m3 of crystalline silica (all 3 polymorphs)
• New action level is 25 ug/m3

Construction industry – employers have until June 23, 2017.

General industry and maritime – employers have until June 23, 2018 – except for hydraulic fracking operations by June 23, 2021.

Laboratory qualifications (SGS Galson is fully compliant)

• Evaluates all samples using the procedures specified in one of the following analytical methods: OSHA ID-142; NMAM 7500; NMAM 7602; NMAM 7603; MSHA P-2; or MSHA P-

• Is accredited to ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025:2005 with respect to crystalline silica analysis by a body that is compliant with ISO/IEC Standard 17011:2004 for implementation of quality assessment programs

• Uses the most current National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or NIST traceable standards for instrument calibration or instrument calibration verification

• Implements an internal quality control (QC) program that evaluates analytical uncertainty and provides employers with estimates of sampling and analytical error

• Characterizes the sample material by identifying polymorphs of respirable crystalline silica present, identifies the presence of any interfering compounds that might affect the analysis, and makes any corrections necessary in order to obtain accurate sample analysis

• Analyzes quantitatively for crystalline silica only after confirming that the sample matrix is free of uncorrectable analytical interferences, corrects for analytical interferences using a method that meets the following performance specifications:

• Each day that samples are analyzed, performs instrument calibration checks with standards that bracket the sample concentrations

• Uses five or more calibration standard levels to prepare calibration curves and ensures that standards are distributed through the calibration range in a manner that accurately reflects the underlying calibration curve

• Optimizes methods and instruments to obtain a quantitative limit of detection that represents a value no higher than 25 percent of the PEL based on sample air volume.

SGS Galson is here to help you comply with the new silica rule. Contact our award-winning Client Service Representatives toll-free at (888) 432-5227, ehs.clientcare@sgs.com or chat in real time on your desktop, laptop, tablet or cell phone. And with our new IHLive Text feature, you can immediately connect by text at our same toll-free number!