Training

OSHA's respirable crystalline silica standard for the construction industry - 29 CFR 1926.1153 - paragraph (i)(2) Employee information and training (i) states: 

"The employer shall ensure that each employee covered by this section can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the following:

(A) The health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica;

(B) Specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica;

(C) Specific measures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, including engineering controls, work practices, and respirators to be used;

(D) The content of this section; 

(E) The identity of the competent person designated by the employer in accordance with paragraph (g)(4) of this section; and

(F) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (h) of this section.

(ii) The employer shall make a copy of this section readily available without cost to each employee covered by this section.

Other training to consider:

• Personal hygiene: the need to avoid shaking off dust that has accumulated on clothing and hair, to wash up at the end of a shift, avoid smoking, and to avoid eating and drinking in areas where silica dust is present
• How to identify when a control is not working
• The importance of using all controls and personal protective equipment provided by the employer.

Training materials, including instructional guides, presentations, toolbox talks, handouts, and videos are available in the “Training & Other Resources” section of this website.

 

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

This Silica Control Plan can be used as a Toolbox Talk for your Project