OSHA's Final Rule: Worker Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica

Overview: Exposure to silica has been linked to lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease in workers. Exposures to crystalline silica dust occur in common workplace operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling, and crushing of concrete, brick, block, rock, and stone products (such as construction tasks), and operations using sand products.