Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure Control Program

Last Updated: October 2, 2024 2:46:15 PM PDT

Learn about respirable crystalline silica requirements.

Silica, also known as silicon dioxide (SiO2), naturally occurs in both crystalline and non-crystalline (amorphous) states. Quartz represents the most prevalent crystalline form of silica and is the most ubiquitous mineral in the Earth's crust. Common materials such as sand, stone, concrete, and mortar contain crystalline silica. Additionally, crystalline silica plays a role in the production of various items like glass, pottery, ceramics, bricks, and artificial stone. All forms of respirable crystalline silica, including quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite, are considered hazardous.

The Crystalline Silica Exposure Control Plan at UC San Diego outlines procedures and assigns responsibilities for faculty, staff, students, and volunteers engaged in university-related activities. This plan applies to all instances of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) on campus, except for situations where verifiable data demonstrates that RCS exposure will remain below 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air (0.025 mg/m3) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) under foreseeable conditions.

Supervisor & Departmental Responsibilities

Departments and their supervisors bear the primary responsibility for ensuring the well-being and safety of their employees. These duties encompass, but are not restricted to:

Identifying existing and potential respirable crystalline silica hazards in the workplace and promptly implementing corrective actions to eliminate or mitigate them.
Ensuring the submission of an updated Inventory of Tasks Performed with Materials Containing Crystalline Silica Form (Appendix A) to the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) for their unit, if applicable.

Maintaining and executing an up-to-date Local Exposure Control Plan.

Ensuring that all workers under the supervisor's direction and control have received the necessary education and training. When applicable, each supervisor must ensure that workers can "demonstrate competency" for assigned tasks.
Ensuring the availability and proper working order of all tools, equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and materials (including water) required to implement the Local Exposure Control Plan before allowing work activities to commence.
Ensuring workers comply with the Local Exposure Control Plan, including adherence to PPE and personal hygiene requirements (e.g., no facial hair where the respirator seals to the user’s face).
Ensuring inclusion in the UC San Diego Silica Medical Surveillance Program for individuals who will be occupationally exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year.

EH&S Resources & Services

Environmental Health & Safety has administrative responsibility for the UC San Diego Respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure Control Program. It will assist departments in meeting their requirements under the program upon request. Specific EH&S Responsibilities and Resources are listed below:

Developing and maintaining the UC San Diego respirable Crystalline Silica Exposure Control Plan and ensuring it meets applicable regulatory requirements.
Reviewing completed Inventory of Tasks Performed with Materials Containing Crystalline Silica Form (Appendix A) and performing exposure assessments and monitoring as required;
UCD Crystalline Silica Hazard Awareness Fact Sheet (English)
UCD Crystalline Silica Hazard Awareness Fact Sheet (Spanish)
Reviewing and recommending exposure controls;
Maintaining applicable records (i.e., exposure monitoring, inspections, respirator fit tests, training records, etc.) in accordance with applicable requirements.

Additional Resources

Questions? Contact EH&S Occupational Health & Hygiene Services at ehsih@ucsd.edu.