Good end to end silica dust management starts with a solid plan and making sure your crew knows how to use the products that keep you compliant with OSHAโs 50-microgram PEL. Fortunately, some manufacturers are making it easier with websites dedicated to Table 1 compliance.
How to Use Table 1 for Silica Dust Management
There are six major components when it comes to silica dust management and each choice you make along the chain affects others down the line.
- Application
- Tool
- Accessories
- Attachments
- Dust Collection
- PPE
When you look at Table 1, youโll see that each part of this chain plays a part. Hereโs what to look for in each part of the table:
- Equipment/Task:ย Gives you the general type of equipment you use and occasionally gives you a specific application. Not every possibility is there, but donโt worry, thereโs still a solution!
- Engineering and Work Practice Control Methods:ย This is going to start getting more specific about dust control requirements. You donโt need aย HEPA filterย for every application, so only use it if you really need it.
- Required Respiratory Protection:ย Split into time that is 4 hours or less and more than four hours per shift, this lets you know if additional PPE is required. Note that those hours are continuous use hours, not how many hours youโre assigned to the job. You might be assigned to 5 hours of surface prep but only spend 2-1/2 with the tool actually on.
What if Table 1 Doesnโt Cover It?
If Table 1 doesnโt cover the tool or applications youโre getting ready for, the next thing youโll move to is Objective Data. This is where the tool company youโre working with can be your best friend and do a lot of the legwork for you.
Objective data defines the specific application, tool, accessories, attachments, dust collection, and PPE youโll need on a much more detailed level. Itโs kind of like following a recipe. If you use the entire system the way itโs described, your silica dust management is OSHA compliant. Change any part of it and it doesnโt help you.
What makes it easy is that the manufacturer takes all the guesswork away from the process. Theyโll tell you the model to use from the tool to the accessory so you know you have exactly what you need and arenโt wasting money on what you donโt. Best of all, you can download compliance letters straight from the manufacturerโs websiteย to show an inspector.
And if the Manufacturer Doesnโt Have Objective Data for Me?
The third option isnโt quite as pleasant. Scheduled Monitoring puts a monitoring device in play to determine if the environment is below the action level of 25 micrograms. If it is, you can stop testing and move on with your life.
In the event that itโs higher than the action level and below the PEL, youโll need to repeat the monitoring within 6 months. If youโre above the PEL, you get to repeat the testing within 3 months.
You can also perform your own performance testing and essentially create your own Objective Data documentation. Just keep in mind that itโs open to OSHA inspector challenges and is generally considered to have a higher risk of being overturned.
Making Your Life Easier
Thatโs a lot to digest on its own, but just keep in mind the silica dust management chain and itโs not too difficult to piece together. Clearly, itโs going to be easiest to work within Table 1 or a manufacturerโs Objective Data documentation.
But some manufacturers make it even easier. Take Bosch for example. They break silica dust management into 5 sections:
- Concrete Drilling
- Concrete Demolition
- Surface Grinding
- Concrete Cutting
- Masonry Tuckpointing
Clicking this link takes you to a PDF with a very easy to follow breakdown that starts with the tool and lets you know what attachments, accessories, dust control, and PPE you need to be OSHA compliant. They tell you exactly what model numbers to use so itโs as easy to use as Objective Data documents. Maybe even easier since itโs laid out in such a logical format.
Applying What You Know
By understanding how to navigate Table 1 and how to find Objective Data, the hard part is done. If you do that work on the front end, the rest is just a matter of getting your hands on the right equipment and using it correctly. If youโre running a crew, that means making sure each member has the training to use the equipment properly.
Youโll notice that Table 1 frequently says, โOperate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturerโs instructions to minimize dust emissions.โ Thatโs code for โread the manual.โ All of your hard work is thrown out by an OSHA inspector if youโre not following the instructions for use and maintenance. Youโll also want to make sure youโre replacing consumables when theyโre due.
If youโre not 100% sure youโre doing everything right, you can contact OSHA directly or take advantage of some of the manufacturersโ hotlines that have been set up just to help with silica dust management. There may even be a local rep that can come out to work with you directly and make sure you have everything you need for full compliance.
