OSHA’s enforcement of the silica standard for the construction industry is five days away. Many companies are putting the finishing touches on their written programs and conducting training in this last working week before full enforcement.
For a written program template, visit www.theferrigroup.co/resources.
Five practical tips are on the image below. The bottom line is to prepare your program to ensure it is ready before engaging with your subs to review or request their programs. If you don’t have an understanding of the standard, you will not know how to evaluate your subcontractors’ programs. If you have specific questions about silica at your site, engage with your safety staff or your insurance carrier’s or broker’s risk control staff – you should already have a good repoire with them! And if you don’t, now is a good time to grow that relationship!
In addition to safety and risk control professionals, it is important to coordinate with those in charge of contract language at your company, as they may want to clarify some responsibilities related to OSHA’s silica standard via contracts. Site supervision, like foremen, superintendents, and project managers, should also be well-versed in the silica standard – they likely will receive questions and be involved in many discussions on the topic at the jobsite level – prepare and support them!
If you still need some assistance, do not hesitate to contact me!
