Recently published proposals for new crystalline silica safety standards have been met with stiff opposition from several US-industry bodies, which claim they are not justified. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published in late August proposals for two new crystalline silica safety standards aimed at reducing the risks of working in an environment where silica particles are present. In a move that could potentially affect several industrial minerals markets, the OSHA has proposed a new permitted exposure level (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica, together with new provisions for measuring how much silica workers are exposed to. At present, the OSHA enforces PELs for crystalline silica that were originally adopted in 1971. For industrial mineral markets, such as construction and general sand industries, the current PEL is 100 micrograms respirable crystalline silica per cubic metre of air during an 8h period. OSHA recommends that the PEL should be reduced to 50 micrograms respirable crystalline silica per cubic metre of air during an 8h period and should apply to all industries - general, maritime and construction.
