Silica exposure controls usage in masonry and concrete trades: before and after enactment of the OSHA Silica Construction Rule (1926.1153).

Abstract

Introduction: In 2017, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Construction Industry Respirable Crystalline Silica rule (1926.1153) became effective. This regulation stipulates silica exposure control methods to be used in specific construction tasks (1926.1153 Table 1). The present study examined the impact of the regulation on usage of control methods. Reported are findings from 2 surveys of concrete and masonry contractors conducted 3 years prior to, and 3 years following, the OSHA rule.

Method: In 2014 and 2021, a telephone survey was conducted of the following trade associations: the Mason Contractors Association of America (n = 700), the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association (n = 541), and the American Concrete Pavement Association (n = 450). Collected were frequency of use of the following dust mitigation strategies: stationary masonry saw wet methods, stationary masonry saw dust capture, handheld saw wet methods, handheld saw dust capture, fiber-cement saw dust capture, walk-behind saws wet methods, walk-behind saws dust capture, impact and rotary hammer drills dust capture, jack hammer wet methods, jack hammer dust capture, handheld grinder dust capture, floor grinder wet method, floor grinder dust capture, and sweeping compound. The 5-point Likert-scale data were analyzed via the Welch's t-test. Open-ended questions about benefits, barriers, and motivations for using dust mitigation methods were analyzed via Content Analysis.

Results: Significant increases in usage were found across many control methods. Highly significant increases in frequency of use were found for handheld saw dust capture, fiber-cement dust capture, handheld grinder dust capture, and impact and rotary hammer dust capture.

Conclusion: Overall, the study provides evidence that the OSHA rule has been effective in effecting change in these silica-exposing trades.