eLCOSH : Guides for Managing Silica Control Programs in Construction

Guides for Managing Silica Control Programs in Construction

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Mark Goldberg, Nancy Clark, Katya Wanzer, Norman Zuckerman

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Hunter College - Urban Public Health Program

The Blueprint Guides are designed to aid construction managers in planning, implementing and integrating health hazard control programs for crystalline silica into the day-to-day operations of infrastructure rehabilitation projects. They are designed with the following principles in mind:

Reliance on occupational health best practices
Incorporation of health hazard control into the project from beginning to end
Compatibility with current OSHA standards and owner specifications
Integration of training and experience of labor into managing controls

This binder contains a series of individual "how-to" guides for managing major elements of crystalline silica control programs, e.g. respirators, exposure assessment. Each individual guide begins with step-by-step instructions and explanatory notes on planning, implementing and evaluating key program components, followed by sections containing checklists, sample forms, and useful topical information.

How to use the guides
Interdependence of the guides

Each guide is arranged in a logical fashion that follows the sequencing of events at a "typical" infrastructure rehabilitation site. At the same time, activities in one guide often depend upon the completion of tasks outlined in another guide and therefore refer the user to specific sections of other guides whenever necessary or helpful. For instance, selecting the correct respirators, described in the guide on managing a respiratory protection program, depends upon results of exposure assessment, described in the guide for managing that activity.

Using the guides
Every attempt is made to explain terms that might be unfamiliar to the user. Step-by-step instructions are accompanied by hints and suggestions on how to proceed through the sometimes seemingly complex requirements of health hazard control. The checklists and sample forms can be copied and used as is, or they can be modified to fit site-specific conditions.

Assignment of personnel
It is suggested that a manager be appointed to oversee the program activities described in each guide, e.g. silica program manager, respirator program manager. The idea is not to create an abundance of program managers, but to emphasize a fundamental principle of program management: someone must be in charge of daily program activities and be accountable for the program's implementation. It is up to the company to select the individual or individuals according to company policies; indeed one person may wear all the hats. Of course, a person who manages one or all aspects of a silica program must be knowledgeable about silica hazards and have decision-making authority within the management structure at the site.

What the guides are not

The guides are not a substitute for understanding and implementing the OSH A Special Emphasis Program (SEP) for Silicosis. In short, the guides do not include all components of silica protection programs or OSHA requirements. We have focused on those components of hazard control that we think offer the greatest challenge to construction managers: exposure assessment, respira t o ry protection, engineering and work practice controls, safety meetings, and toolbox talks. While these are crucial to protecting workers and complying with OSHA, there are additional, important requirements not addressed in the guides. For instance, although worker training is a key element of implementing many of the requirements of the OSHA SEP, and is mentioned in several of the guides, there is no specific guide on worker training. Similarly, while there is a guide for managing control programs, there is none for writing a compliance program. In the future, such guides might be produced if users express an interest or need.

The guides are not a program. They include pointers on how to plan and implement health hazard control programs, but do not substitute for a program. It is also important to note that the guides are not training curricula, although they can be used in conjunction with training. As stated above, companies need to refer to OSHA standards and compliance directives for a comprehensive list of requirements.

Use of the guides is no guarantee that a health hazard control program will be managed effectively. That depends much more upon the commitment to health and safety of the company from top management down. Effective management is a reflection of the training of the individual selected to manage the program, and their ability to successfully implement the program at the site.

In Summary

The guides represent the distillation of practical experience of many individuals, organizations and companies. They have been reviewed and revised a number of times. Nonetheless, this is an ongoing process. Because construction companies and sites are so varied, it is difficult, if not impossible, to reflect the needs of every construction manager and worker in one document, or to provide definitive advice on how to manage health hazard controls. We expect that the guides will be adapted to company management structures and that the reader or user will offer comments and any ideas on how the guides can be improved. While focused on infrastructure projects, we believe the guides can be easily adapted to other construction environments and to other hazards.

Questions or comments?

Please contact us at the Construction Hygiene and Ergonomic Program 212-241-7573, or via email at contactus@blueprintproject.org

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