Finding of Emergency Section 5204 , Occupational Exposures to Respirable Crystalline Silica Business Meeting : December 14 , 2023 Page 25 of 36 of employee exposures , exposure assessments , or objective data .” The effect of this addition is to ensure that the employer implements the proper protections , as required , when employees engage in high-exposure trigger tasks .
• The proposed emergency regulation would add a new subsection ( f )( 2 )( A ) entitled “ Engineering Controls ” that would require effective wet methods to be used pursuant to subsection ( f )( 2 )( A ) 1 ., as defined in subsection ( b ). This provision is necessary because wet methods are the most effective means of protecting employees and capturing silica dust that is generated during high-exposure trigger tasks .
• The proposed emergency regulation would add a new subsection ( f )( 2 )( B ) entitled “ Housekeeping and Hygiene .” o New subsection ( f )( 2 )( B ) 1 ., would require that dust and other materials generated from high-exposure trigger tasks be promptly cleaned up and placed into leak-tight containers to ensure there is no visible dust build-up in the workplace . o New subsection ( f )( 2 )( B ) 2 ., would require that wet methods or vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters be used to clean up dust and other materials to ensure airborne silica is not generated during housekeeping activities . o New subsection ( f )( 2 )( B ) 3 ., would require that employees involved in housekeeping tasks be provided with appropriate respiratory protection , in accordance with subsection ( h ). o New subsection ( f )( 2 )( B ) 4 ., would require employers to provide washing facilities in accordance with existing title 8 , section 3366 .
• These provisions are necessary because silica dust on work surfaces is an important source of secondary exposure to RCS if it is not properly cleaned up and contained . Respiratory protection is necessary because cleaning surfaces and handling debris that contains silica dust can expose employees to RCS . Washing facilities are necessary to allow employees to clean silica dusts from their hands .
• The proposed emergency regulation would add a new subsection ( f )( 2 )( C ) that clarifies Cal / OSHA ’ s authority to protect employees by issuing an Order to Take Special Action .
• The effect of this addition is to facilitate Cal / OSHA ’ s ability to efficiently mitigate a unique hazardous condition , on a case-by-case basis , that is not specifically addressed in the text of the proposed emergency standard .
• The proposed emergency regulation would add a new subsection ( f )( 2 )( D ) entitled “ Prohibitions ” that describes specific work practices that are expressly prohibited for high-exposure trigger tasks , regardless of measured employee exposure levels .
• These prohibitions include the following : o New subsection ( f )( 2 )( D ) 1 ., use of compressed air on surfaces , clothing , or to back-flush filters ;