<<< Back to OSHA's New National Emphasis Program: Crystalline Silica |
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Title: Why a New NEP? (cont'd) Content: Speaker Notes: In 1996, OSHA established a Special Emphasis Program (SEP) for Silicosis, which provided guidance for targeting inspections of worksites with employees at risk of developing silicosis. The SEP was a memorandum. This National Emphasis Program (NEP) is a compliance directive that builds upon and expands the 1996 SEP and addresses targeting of worksites with elevated exposure to crystalline silica, as well as silica-related inspection procedures. NAICS = North American Industrial Classification System. The NEP provides information based on current research regarding silica exposure hazards. The NEP Instruction provides guidance on calculating the permissible exposure limits (PELs) for dust containing respirable crystalline silica in General Industry, Construction and Maritime industries, using the OSHA-adopted conversion factor of 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3) per 1 million particles per cubic foot (mppcf), described in Appendix E. Procedures are established to evaluate the NEP. The NEP provides for the development of outreach programs by each Region and Area Office, emphasizing the formation of voluntary partnerships to share information on effective methods for reducing or eliminating employee exposure to crystalline silica. |