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851 Silica Dust Safety in Construction
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Alternative Exposure Control Methods

Under OSHA's silica dust rule, for tasks not discussed in the previous module, or where the employer does not fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection as listed, the employer should use the below alternative exposure control methods.

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

The employer should make sure no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 micro grams per cubic meter (µg/m3), calculated as an 8-hour Time Weighted Average (TWA). In other words, the average exposure to silica dust should not exceed 50 ug/m3 during the full work shift.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

5-1. The average exposure to silica dust should not exceed _____ ug/m3 during a full work shift.