Silica Exposure Control Plan Released by the Natural Stone Institute

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MIA+BSI: The Natural Stone Institute
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Silica Exposure Control Plan Released by the Natural Stone Institute

 

Oberlin, OH and Chestertown, NY, December 12, 2017—

The Natural Stone Institute has completed a written Silica Exposure Control Plan (ECP) specifically for stone cutters and fabricators. The ECP was developed in response to one of the requirements of OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard CFR 1910.1053 for General Industry and Maritime.

“We believe we have developed a practical compliance tool to benefit stone cutters and fabricators covered by OSHA’s new silica rule,” said Mark Meriaux, Natural Stone Institute Accreditation & Technical Manager.

The central component of OSHA’s rule is reducing by half an employee’s crystalline silica exposure (called the “Permissible Exposure Limit, or PEL,” by OSHA). The new PEL is 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m³), calculated as 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). The effective date for OSHA’s new silica exposure standard is June 23, 2018, for general industry (fabricators).

The written Silica Exposure Control Plan is presented free of charge courtesy of the Natural Stone Institute Safety Committee. It can be downloaded by visiting www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/silica

 

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About MIA+BSI

MIA+BSI: the Natural Stone Institute serves more than 1900 members in 55 countries who represent every aspect of the natural stone industry, offering them a wide array of technical and training resources, professional development, regulatory advocacy, and networking events. Two prominent publications—the Dimension Stone Design Manual and Building Stone Magazine—raise awareness in both the industry and the design communities for the promotion and best use of natural stone. Learn more at www.naturalstoneinstitute.org.

 

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