OSHA Issues Final Rule With More Stringent Silica Exposure Limit On March 24, 2016, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule, which among other things, significantly reduces the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for workers’ exposure to respirable crystalline silica from 100 micrograms per cubic meter of air (averaged over an 8-hour shift) to 50 micrograms per cubic meter.  The new OSHA rule impacts a wide range of industries including construction, manufacturing, oil and gas production, and railroads.  In addition to the more stringent PEL, the new rule includes monitoring, training, record-keeping, housekeeping, and other requirements for… Read more