The federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration's (OSHA) new rules for crystalline silica dust went live on June 23, 2018. While the standard was amended to address new methods for extracting energy that have been developed over the past decade, it will impact you, too

Do you know how, exactly? Take the quiz to find out.

Question 1

Will these OSHA standards be identical in every U.S. state and territory?

Question 2

My construction firm's workers typically work outside. Does that exclude me from having to conform to the new OSHA standard?

Question 3

What is the legal exposure limit for crystalline silica dust? Hint: The amount is measured as the volume of micrograms per cubic metre of air (µg/m3).

Question 4

How many workplaces does OSHA expect will be affected by the rule change?

Question 5

Workers exposed to very small crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious diseases. How does silica cause these problems?

Question 6

Organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the National Institute of Health now designate crystalline silica as a human carcinogen. How many deaths per year does OSHA think will be prevented by the new standard?

Keep a lid on dust: Read this article to learn more controlling jobsite dust

Low-dust mortar helps contractors meet OSHA's new silica dust standard

Download OSHA's Compliance Guide for the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for construction
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A Yes, every state and territory will be the same.

B No, all states will have different personal exposure levels for silica.

C Not all states will be exactly the same, but the OSHA standard will be the baseline limit.

Correct! States with OSHA-approved plans must adopt standards similar to federal OSHA standards within six months. However, while many states adopt standards identical to OSHA, some states will implement more stringent requirements.
Next Question
Oops! States with OSHA-approved plans must adopt standards similar to federal OSHA standards within six months. However, while many states adopt standards identical to OSHA, some states will implement more stringent requirements.
Next Question

A Yes, outside workers aren't included in this standard.

B No, you must conform to the rules in the same manner as any indoor workplace.

C It depends on how you implement certain controls and work practices.

Correct! It depends. Because the construction industry is so varied in how workers conduct their tasks, industry stakeholders worked with OSHA to create Table 1, a set of specific practices to combat the impracticality of exposure monitoring in a sector dominated by intermittent tasks and changes in weather, job sites and materials.
Next Question
Oops! It depends. Because the construction industry is so varied in how workers conduct their tasks, industry stakeholders worked with OSHA to create Table 1, a set of specific practices to combat the impracticality of exposure monitoring in a sector dominated by intermittent tasks and changes in weather, job sites and materials.
Next Question

A 100 µg/m3

B 50 µg/m3

C 60 µg/m3

D 25 µg/m3

Correct! Workers must not be exposed to more than 50 µg/m3 of crystalline silica averaged over an eight-hour work day.
Next Question
Oops! The new OSHA silica standard requires you to ensure workers are exposed to no more than 50 µg/m3 of crystalline silica averaged over an eight-hour work day.
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A About 100,000

B About 675,000

C About 1,000,000

D About 65,000

Correct! OSHA estimates approximately 676,000 workplaces in the construction, maritime and general industrial sectors.
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Oops! OSHA estimates approximately 676,000 workplaces will be affected, including companies in the construction, maritime and general industrial sectors.
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A The dust can cause blindness.

B The particles cause brain damage.

C Clouds of silica dust can irritate exposed skin.

D Inhaling silica dust can cause silicosis, an incurable, sometimes fatal lung disease.

Correct! Crystalline silica exposure also puts workers at risk for developing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Reduce your risk of dust clouds with MasterEmaco® T 1060DR and MasterEmaco T 1061DR low dust mortars.
Next Question
Oops! These tiny particles penetrate deep into the lungs, causing silicosis, an incurable and sometimes fatal lung disease. Crystalline silica exposure also puts workers at risk for developing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Reduce your risk of dust clouds with MasterEmaco® T 1060DR and MasterEmaco T 1061DR low dust mortars.
Next Question

A 1,000 deaths per year

B 7,000 deaths per year

C 700 deaths per year

D 1,600 deaths per year

Correct! OSHA estimates the proposed rule will save nearly 700 lives and prevent 1,600 new cases of silicosis each year.
Next Question
Oops! Once fully implemented for all industrial activities included in the regulations, OSHA estimates the proposed rule will save nearly 700 lives and prevent 1,600 new cases of silicosis each year.
Next Question