OSHA Silica Standards Quiz

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Overview

• The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHAct) was enacted in 1970
• The OSHAct created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Some states have programs to handle OSHA regulations at the state level (State Plans)

State/Other Agencies

• Federal agency employees are regulated by Executive Order 12196, codified at 29 CFR 1960
• State/local government employees are overseen by agencies like the Oklahoma Department of Labor's Public Employee Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) program

OSHA Standards

• General Industry – 29 CFR 1910 (includes Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) 1910.1000)
• Construction – 29 CFR 1926
• Agriculture – 29 CFR 1928
• Maritime (Shipyard, Marine Terminals, Longshoring, Gear Certification) – 29 CFR 1915, 1917, 1918, 1919 respectively

Chapter 32: Hazard Communication Standard

• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200/29 CFR 1926.59
• Employees have the right to know about job-related health and physical hazards, and precautions to prevent exposure
• Requirements include a written program, a list of hazardous chemicals, labeling (manufacturer's and workplace labels), safety data sheets (SDSs), and employee training

Scope and Application

• Applies to hazardous chemicals and physical hazards in the workplace

• Exclusions:

• Hazardous waste

• Food, drugs, alcoholic beverages, and cosmetics

• Consumer products in the workplace if exposure duration and frequency are not reasonably expected to be greater than what consumers experience when used for their intended purpose

Health Hazard Definition

• "Health hazard" means a chemical posing hazardous effects like:
  • Acute toxicity (various routes of exposure)
  • Skin corrosion or irritation
  • Serious eye damage or eye irritation
  • Respiratory or skin sensitization
  • Germ cell mutagenicity
  • Carcinogenicity
  • Reproductive toxicity
  • Specific target organ toxicity
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Nephrotoxicity
  • Neurotoxicity
  • Agents affecting the hematopoietic system
  • Agents damaging lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes
  • Aspiration hazard

Physical Hazard Definition

• "Physical hazard" means a chemical posing hazardous effects like:
  • Explosiveness
  • Flammability (gases, aerosols, liquids, or solids)
  • Oxidizer (liquid, solid, or gas)
  • Self-reactive; pyrophoric (liquid or solid)
  • Self-heating
  • Organic peroxide
  • Corrosive to metal
  • Gas under pressure; in contact with water emits flammable gases

Hazard Classification

• Each chemical/product must be evaluated for hazardous classification
• Hazard classification determines the signal word and hazard statements on the label and safety data sheet
• Mixture classification is based on the mixture as a whole, not individual components

Labeling Requirements

• The chemical manufacturer/importer must provide the following on each container:
  • Product identifier
  • Signal word
  • Hazard statement(s)
  • Precautionary statement(s)
  • Pictogram(s)
  • Name, address, and telephone number of the responsible party

Product Identifier

• The name or number used for a hazardous chemical on a label or SDS that provides a unique means of identifying it and permits cross-referencing with lists of hazardous chemicals, labels, and SDSs

Signal Word

• "Danger" indicates a more severe hazard
• "Warning" indicates a less severe hazard

Hazard Statement

• Hazard statements describe the specific nature of the hazards

Precautionary Statements

• Precautionary statements are selected from tables in Appendix C based on the hazard classification
• Four types: Prevention, Response, Storage, Disposal

GHS Pictograms

• Standardized pictograms (e.g., flammable, corrosive, explosive, oxidizing, toxic, health hazard, harmful/irritant, dangerous for the environment)

Corrosion Pictogram

• Used for corrosive materials, including those corrosive to metals, skin irritants, and materials causing serious eye damage/irritation

Flame Pictogram

• Used for flammable materials like gases, aerosols, liquids, solids, self-reactives, pyrophoric liquids and solids, self-heating substances, substances emitting flammable gases in contact with water, and organic peroxides

Skull and Crossbones Pictogram

• Used to represent acute toxicity via oral, inhalation, or dermal routes

Exclamation Mark Pictogram

• Indicates acute toxicity, skin irritation/corrosion, serious eye damage/irritation, and skin sensitization

Health Hazard Pictogram

• Used for respiratory sensitizers, germ cell mutagens, carcinogens, toxic materials affecting reproduction, and aspiration hazards

Flame over Circle Pictogram

• Used for oxidizing gases, liquids, and solids

Gas Cylinder Pictogram

• Used for compressed gas, liquefied gas, refrigerated liquefied gas, and dissolved gas

Workplace Labels

• Employers must ensure containers of hazardous chemicals are labeled, tagged or marked
• Information must include a product identifier, hazard information, and an indication of the hazards
• Examples: Gasoline – Flammable

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

• Employers must have SDSs for each hazardous chemical they use
• SDSs must be readily accessible to employees at the workplace
• SDS formats must be in English, and can be included in other languages as well

Training

• Employers must provide effective information and training on hazardous chemicals to employees
• The training must happen at the time of initial assignments and whenever a new hazard is introduced where employees have not been trained

Summary

• Includes written Hazard Communication Program, the List of Hazardous Chemicals, Labeling, Workplace Labeling, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), etc.

Chapter 33: Laboratory Safety

• This section applies to all employers engaged in "laboratory use" of hazardous chemicals
• "Laboratory use" means a facility where small quantities of chemicals are used on a non-production basis
• This usually refers to work with substances where containers for reactions/transfers are easily handled by one person
• Other types of chemical use in labs (e.g., cleaning products) falls under the Hazard Communication Standard

Chapter 34: Bloodborne Pathogens

• Bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) are infectious microorganisms in human blood that cause serious disease
• BBPs can enter through breaks in the skin (e.g., cuts, burns, lesions), mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) and sexual contact
• Common examples of BBPs include HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), malaria, syphilis, babbiesiosis, and brucellosis (and more)

HIV

• HIV is a retrovirus that causes AIDS
• There is no vaccine
• Most occupational infections are due to needlestick injuries
• HIV does not survive long outside the body -Statistics on the prevalence and awareness of HIV in the U.S.

Hepatitis B

• Prevalence of HBV infection worldwide and in the US
• Symptoms of HBV, ranging from mild fever to liver failure
• Historically high number of deaths associated with HBV infection in the U.S. Statistics showing how the prevalence of hepatitis B has changed in the past decades.

Hepatitis C

• Estimated number of Americans infected with HCV
• Percentage of HCV infections that are symptomatic
• Percentage of HCV-infected people who develop chronic liver disease
• Number of deaths annually from chronic liver disease due to HCV infection
• Lack of vaccine and post-exposure immunoprophylaxis treatment
• Explaining why HCV treatment can be expensive.

OSHA Requirements (Bloodborne Pathogens)

• A written Exposure Control Plan is required
• Employees with "reasonable anticipation" of exposure must be identified
• Engineering controls (safer medical devices), administrative controls (handwashing), personal protective equipment (PPE), Hepatitis-B vaccine and antibody tests, and confidential post-exposure follow-up (in cases of needlestick or exposure incidents)
• Initial and annual training and a sharps injury log are required

Hierarchy of Controls (general safety)

• Elimination: Physically removing the hazard.
• Substitution: Replacing the hazardous material with a less hazardous alternative.
• Engineering Controls: Isolating people from the hazard (e.g., ventilation systems, enclosed cabs).
• Administrative Controls: Changing the way people work (e.g., procedures, training, work schedules).
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Protecting the worker with appropriate gear (e.g., gloves, masks).

OSHA Requirements (Engineering Controls)

• Use safe needle devices where possible
• Do not bend, recap, or remove needles
• Dispose of sharps properly in designated sharps containers
• Dispose of other waste in biohazard bags

OSHA Requirements (Administrative Controls)

• No eating, drinking, smoking, storing food
• Biohazard labels on all containers
• Decontamination of equipment/surfaces after contact/spills, end of shift, before service
• Handwashing after removing gloves/contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM)
• Handwashing facilities (antiseptic hand cleansers or towelettes provided if sinks are not immediately available).

OSHA Requirements (PPE)

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required
• Employer must provide appropriate PPE in correct sizes at no cost to the employee
• PPE must be removed and disposed of when contaminated in accordance with protocols

OSHA Requirements (other compliance programs)

• Includes a list of compliance programs under OSHA.

Chapter 35: Personal Protective Equipment

• 1910.132 General Requirements
• 1910.131 Eye and Face Protection
• 1910.134 Respiratory Protection
• 1910.135 Head Protection
• 1910.136 Foot Protection
• 1910.137 Electrical Protective Equipment
• 1910.138 Hand Protection

1910.132(d) Hazard Assessment

• Assess workplace hazards to determine PPE needs
• Select appropriate PPE for identified hazards
• Communicate selected PPE decisions
• Select PPE that fits each employee appropriately

1910.132(f) Training

• Employers are required to train employees on PPE use, including situations where PPE is necessary, appropriate PPE types, proper donning/doffing procedures, limitations of PPE, proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of the PPE.

PPE/Respiratory Use

• No written program beyond PPE assessment for general PPE use
• A written respiratory protection program is required for respiratory protection, specifying hazards, respirator types, and worksite-specific procedures

Substance-Specific Standards

• A list of substance specific standards under CFR 1910 (General Industry) and CFR 1926 (Construction)

Lead

• Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) and Action Levels for lead exposure, including sampling frequency based on exceeding these levels

• Procedures for air sampling results above the action level or PEL

• Additional requirements regarding facilities, post signs, employee clothing, provisions for cleaning protective clothing and access to adequate handwashing, etc.

• Lead Training requirements and expectations (Including reviewing appendix A & B)

Crystalline Silica

• General industry and construction standards for Crystalline Silica exposure, including monitoring employee exposure as compared to PEL.
• Construction standard is different with separate criteria

Silica General Industry Standard 1910.1053

• Detailed criteria of requirements outlined (Scope, definitions, etc.)

Silica Construction Standard 1926.1153

• Detailed criteria of requirements outlined (Scope, definitions, etc.)

List of Table 1 Entries (Construction)

• A comprehensive list of tasks that match effective dust control methods and respirator requirements.

OSHA Requirements (Asbestos)

• EPA regulations (including AHERA, ASHARA, and NESHAP)
• OSHA guidelines specific to asbestos in general industry and construction sites.
• Includes details on inspection procedures, notification requirements, control measures(like abatement of friable materials) and requirements for training, competent persons, etc.

Abatement

• Specific requirements for asbestos abatement, including the type of barriers (Z-flaps, multiple layers of poly), types of protective equipment (Tyvek suit usage), negative pressure in the containment area, HVAC shutdowns, and removal of movable items, etc.

Training (Asbestos)

• Specific training requirements for different groups of employees, like maintenance and custodial staff in buildings with ACBM and expected duration of training
• OSHA standard training with HAZCOM inclusions

Employer's Responsibility (Asbestos)

• Summary of employer responsibilities in asbestos containment in the workplace, including sampling requirements and if specialized training is required

OSHA Individual Compliance Programs

• A comprehensive list of compliance programs, including hazards associated with each one.

General Duty Clause

• Summarizes requirements for OSHA's General Duty Clause regarding Workplace Hazards

Individual Compliance Programs (Next Week)

• Topics for the upcoming week, including comprehensive safety and health programs, ergonomically needed programs (Heat Stress, Laser Safety, etc), and occupational safety and health management systems

Test your knowledge on OSHA's silica standards, including exposure control methods and labeling requirements for hazardous chemicals. This quiz covers essential aspects such as safety data sheets, pictograms, and protective measures. See how well you understand the compliance requirements for general and construction industries.