New OSHA program Targets Silica,Other Blast Cleaning Hazards

摘要

On January 24,2008,OSHA issued directive number CPL 03-00-007,National Emphasis Program-Crystalline Silica,which will,at a minimum,change OSHA's approach to inspections of projects involving abrasive blasting with sand and,at the most,could affect virtually all types of abrasive blasting.The National Emphasis Program (NEP) establishes policies and procedures for inspection.Its stated purpose is "to significantly reduce/eliminate employee overexposures to crystalline silica and,therefore,control the health hazards associated with such exposures." Inspections are to be targeted to work sites that likely create high silica exposures,and the inspections must comprise 2% of each OSHA Region's annual inspections.