OSHA Hears Small Employer Comments on Silica Regulation Draft The
cost of complying with a substantially lower permissible exposure
limit for crystalline silica could have a significant impact on
small business, according to comments received from the OSHA Small
Business Advocacy Review Panel during its November meeting. Firms
with 60 or fewer employees told OSHA that the lowest silica PEL
under consideration—50 micrograms per cubic meter for an
eight-hour time-weighted average—is impossible to meet in
a cost-effective manner. Under the draft proposed standards—one
for general industry and maritime and one for construction—the
agency is considering lowering the silica PEL to either 50, 75,
or 100 mg/m3.
Small business representatives are also concerned about the definition
of competent person excluding nonexempt employees from measuring
silica exposure and complicated language regarding proper work
clothing and hygiene facilities.
The draft proposed rules were reviewed by 15 small business representatives
for general industry and 11 representatives for construction.
The panel report on silica is due December 19.
Source: BNA Occupational
Safety and Health News; 11-30-03. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/silicacrystalline/index.html
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