Respirable Crystalline Silica (30 CFR Part 60) – Frequently Asked Questions

Posted June 2024

60.1 - Scope; Compliance Dates

1. What is respirable crystalline silica and how can it affect health?

Respirable crystalline silica (also known as silica dust or quartz dust) is a common occupational hazard for coal and metal/nonmetal (MNM) miners. Silica dust is generated by mining activities, including cutting, sanding, drilling, crushing, grinding, sawing, scraping, jackhammering, excavating, and hauling materials that contain silica.

Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica results in adverse health effects and increases risk of death. The adverse health effects include silicosis (i.e., acute silicosis, accelerated silicosis, chronic silicosis, and progressive massive fibrosis), nonmalignant respiratory diseases (e.g., emphysema and chronic bronchitis), lung cancer, and kidney disease. Each of these effects is chronic, irreversible, and potentially disabling or fatal. Exposure to mixed coal mine dust containing respirable crystalline silica can lead to the development of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, progressive massive fibrosis, and multi-dust pneumoconiosis. Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a human carcinogen.

2. When do I have to comply with MSHA's new silica rule?

The final rule took effect on June 17, 2024. Compliance with this final rule is required by April 14, 2025, for coal mine operators and April 8, 2026, for MNM mine operators.

60.10 - Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

3. I am an MNM operator. Please explain how the new respirable crystalline silica permissible exposure limit (PEL) differs from the previous PELs.

The final rule establishes a uniform PEL for respirable crystalline silica of 50 μg/m³ and an action level of 25 μg/m³ over a full shift, calculated as an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) for all mines. The new PEL applies to all three forms of respirable crystalline silica either alone or in any combination (i.e., quartz, cristobalite, and/or tridymite).

The former PELs for the three polymorphs of respirable crystalline silica were based on the TLVs® Threshold Limit Values for Chemical Substances in Workroom Air Adopted by the ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) for 1973. The TLV® for respirable dust containing greater than 1% quartz was designed to limit exposures to less than 100 μg/m³ for quartz, and to less than 50 μg/m³ for cristobalite and tridymite, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.

4. I am a coal operator. Please explain how the new respirable crystalline silica permissible exposure limit (PEL) differs from the former quartz PEL.

Previous sections 70.101, 71.101, and 90.101 established a respirable dust standard when quartz was present in underground coal mines, surface coal mines, and for part 90 miners, respectively. Coal miners' exposures to respirable quartz were indirectly regulated through reductions in the respirable dust standard (i.e., reduced standard). The exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica during a coal miner's shift was 100 μg/m³, reported as an equivalent full-shift TWA concentration as measured by the Mining Research Establishment (MRE) instrument.

Part 60 establishes a uniform PEL for respirable crystalline silica at 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m³) over a full shift, and an action level at 25 μg/m³ over a full shift, calculated as an 8-hour TWA. (Also see Question 5 below regarding the MRE vs. ISO sampling conventions.) The full-shift, 8-hour TWA calculation provides greater protection for coal miners than the full-shift TWA calculation under the previous standards, which made no adjustment for extended shifts.

Starting on April 14, 2025, only those dust samples collected under part 60 will be used to determine the concentration of respirable crystalline silica and miners' exposures to respirable crystalline silica. Respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) samples collected under parts 70, 71, or 90 will be used for the analysis of RCMD concentration only.

5. As a coal operator, I've worked with MRE concentrations. How does MRE concentration differ from the ISO concentration?

Under part 60, MSHA requires mine operators to use respirable-particle-size-selective samplers that conform to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 7708:1995: Air Quality-Particle Size Fraction Definitions for Health-Related Sampling (ISO 7708:1995(E)) standard to determine compliance with the PEL. Mine operators are allowed to use any type of sampling device for respirable crystalline silica sampling, as long as the device is designed to meet the characteristics for respirable-particle-size-selective samplers that conform to the ISO 7708:1995(E) standard and, where appropriate, meet MSHA permissibility requirements.

The MRE and ISO represent different sampling conventions that yield different concentrations based on the mass of dust collected. Different samplers will operate at specified flow rates resulting in different volumes of collected respirable dust.

Under the final rule, the concentration of respirable crystalline silica collected over the full shift is calculated as a full-shift, 8-hour TWA expressed in ISO standards. However, respirable coal mine dust exposures will continue to be reported as an MRE equivalent dust concentration for a full shift sample. For coal mine operators, the gravimetric samplers previously used to sample RCMD (i.e., coal mine dust personal sampling unit (CMDPSU)) can be used for part 60 sampling. Those CMDPSUs must be adjusted to operate at a flow rate of 1.7 L/min (not 2.0 L/min) to conform to the ISO standard.

60.11 - Methods of Compliance

6. Is an environmental cab considered an engineering control?

Yes. MSHA recognizes enclosed cabs or control booths with filtered breathing air as engineering controls. These must be properly maintained to remain effective.

60.12 - Exposure Monitoring

7. Should I notify MSHA when a sampling result is over the PEL?

Yes. Mine operators must immediately report any sampling result that exceeds the PEL to the District Manager or to any other MSHA office designated by the District Manager.

8. Can I continue to operate if sampling results exceed the action level but are below the PEL?

Yes, you can continue to operate. If a sampling result is at or above the action level but at or below the PEL, the mine operator must continue to sample within 3 months of the previous sampling.

9. How often do I need to conduct periodic evaluations?

Mine operators are required to conduct periodic evaluations at least every 6 months or whenever there is a change in: production; processes; installation and maintenance of engineering controls; installation and maintenance of equipment; administrative controls; or geological conditions.

10. Who can complete the periodic evaluations?

Mine operators, or someone designated by the mine operator, must complete the periodic evaluations. As part of the requirements, mine operators must make a record of the evaluated change, the impact on respirable crystalline silica exposure, and the date of the evaluation. The mine operator must also post the record on the mine bulletin board and, if applicable, by electronic means, for the next 31 days.

11. What if I identify no changes at my mine during my periodic evaluation?

If during a periodic evaluation, the operator determines that there are no changes in production, processes, installation or maintenance of engineering controls, installation or maintenance of equipment, administrative controls, or geological conditions, the mine operator is required to make a record of the evaluation and the date of the evaluation and post the record on the mine bulletin board for the next 31 days.

12. What samplers are approved for the collection of respirable crystalline silica under the new rule? Do I need MSHA approval to use a specific sampling device?

Mine operators are allowed to use any type of sampling device for respirable crystalline silica sampling that is designed to meet the characteristics for respirable-particle-size-selective samplers that conform to the ISO 7708:1995(E) standard and, where appropriate, meet MSHA permissibility requirements.
You do not need MSHA approval to use a specific sampler provided it conforms to the ISO 7708:1995(E) standard.

13. Do I need to use the same sampler as MSHA when conducting respirable crystalline silica sampling?

No, you do not need to use the same brand or model of sampler used by MSHA for sampling. However, your samplers must be operated to meet the ISO 7708:1995(E) standard and, where applicable, MSHA's requirements for permissible use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

14. Do I need to conduct sampling on every miner at my mine site?

Where several miners perform the same tasks on the same shift and in the same work area, mine operators may sample a representative fraction (at least two) of these miners. When sampling a representative fraction of miners, mine operators are required to select the miners expected to have the highest exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Mine operators must ensure that no miner is exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 micrograms per cubic meters for a full-shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour TWA (§ 60.10). When a mine operator elects to engage in representative sampling, the mine operator may take, and submit for analysis, fewer samples. Under this rule, mine operators must assess the typical circumstances of each shift and each miner to identify miners most at risk for overexposure and choose those miners to be "representative" for sampling purposes. This approach allows mine operators to assess the highest likely exposure levels and implement and adjust engineering controls to address the highest likely concentrations of respirable crystalline silica.

15. If a miner works 10-hour shifts, is 8 hours of sampling sufficient?

No. Under part 60, the PEL and the action level apply to a miner's full-shift exposure, calculated as an 8-hour TWA. This means that the dust sample for the miner who works 10-hour shifts must be collected for the entire 10 hours.

16. When I conduct sampling of miners, do I need to sample the same miners for subsequent sampling? Or can I use different miners doing the same job task?

When a mine operator conducts subsequent exposure monitoring, sampling the same miner is not mandatory. The key is to ensure that the sampled individual is expected to have the highest exposure to respirable crystalline silica and is engaged in work representative of the exposure you are evaluating. For all sampling, where several miners perform the same tasks on the same shift and in the same work area, mine operators may sample a representative fraction (at least two) of miners.

17. How are samples analyzed for the presence of respirable crystalline silica?

Mine operators are required to use laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 to analyze samples for respirable crystalline silica using one of the analytical methods specified by MSHA, OSHA, or NIOSH. The methods used for respirable crystalline silica sample analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD) include MSHA P-2, NIOSH 7500, and OSHA ID-142. All three methods can distinguish between the three silica polymorphs. The methods used for respirable crystalline silica sample analysis using infrared spectroscopy, particularly Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), include MSHA P-7, NIOSH 7602, and NIOSH 7603.

18. How do I identify which laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 for respirable crystalline silica analysis?

To identify ISO-compliant laboratories, mine operators can refer to the websites of the accrediting bodies (e.g., AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Program, A2LA), which provide directories of accredited laboratories.

60.13 - Corrective Actions

19. Once an overexposure has been identified, what actions must I take?

Several actions are required when an overexposure has been identified. The mine operator must immediately report the overexposure to the MSHA District Manager or to any other MSHA office designated by the District Manager. The mine operator must make approved respirators available to the affected miners before the start of the next work shift and ensure that the affected miners wear the respirators for the full shift or during the period of overexposure until miner exposures are at or below the PEL. Corrective actions must be taken immediately to lower the concentration of respirable crystalline silica to at or below the PEL. The mine operator must conduct sampling pursuant to § 60.12(b). A corrective action record must be logged, and it should include the corrective actions taken, including any related respirator use by affected miners, and the dates of the corrective actions in accordance with § 60.13(c). All records must be retained for at least 5 years from the date of each sampling, evaluation, or corrective action.

60.14 - Respiratory Protection

20. What type of respiratory protection must I provide to miners who are exposed over the respirable crystalline silica PEL?

Affected miners shall be provided with a NIOSH-approved atmosphere-supplying respirator or NIOSH- approved air-purifying respirator equipped with particulate protection classified as 100 series under 42 CFR part 84 or particulate protection classified as High Efficiency ''HE'' under 42 CFR part 84.

21. Can I implement the same written respiratory protection program at all of my mine sites?

Respiratory protection must be tailored to the mine's specific hazards and conditions. The ASTM F3387-19 respirator selection process involves workplace and user factors that are specific and unique to each workplace. Due to variations in mining processes, geological conditions, and respirable crystalline silica concentrations, the same respiratory protection program may not be suitable between mines.

60.15 - Medical Surveillance for Metal and Non-Metal Mines

22. Are all MNM operators required to provide miners the opportunity to have medical examinations?

Yes. Under § 60.15(b), MNM operators are required to provide all miners employed at the mine with the opportunity to have periodic medical examinations. Miners who are new to the mining industry are required to receive medical examinations as specified under § 60.15(c). All medical examinations are to be provided at no cost to the miner.

23. If I hire someone new to the mining industry, how long do I have beforetheir mandatory medical examination must be completed?

For each miner who begins work in the mining industry for the first time after the compliance date, the MNM mine operator must provide an initial medical examination that meets the requirements in § 60.15(a) no later than 60 days after beginning employment and a follow-up medical examination no later than 3 years after the initial examination. Another follow-up medical examination must be provided by a specialist no later than 2 years after the first follow-up examination, if a chest X-ray shows evidence of pneumoconiosis or the spirometry examination indicates evidence of decreased lung function.

24. What will the medical examinations include?

Medical examinations must include a medical and work history, a physical examination, a chest X-ray, and a pulmonary function test, and must be provided at specified frequencies. Each MNM operator must provide to each miner opportunities for the periodic medical examinations performed by a physician or other licensed health care professional ("PLHCP," e.g., registered nurses) or specialist, at no cost to the miner. Please see § 60.15(a) for specific details for each requirement.

25. What medical surveillance records will the operator need to maintain for compliance with MSHA's new silica rule? How long do I need to retain these records?

The mine operator must obtain a written medical opinion from the PLHCP or specialist within 30 days of the medical examination. The written opinion must contain only the date of the medical examination, a statement that the examination has met the requirements of § 60.15, and any recommended limitations on the miner's use of respirators. The written opinion must not contain the results of a miner's medical examinations, chest X-rays, or pulmonary function tests. The mine operator must maintain the record of the written medical opinion received from the PLHCP or specialist for the duration of the miner's employment plus 6 months.

60.16 - Recordkeeping Requirements

26. What records do I need to maintain in order to be compliant with the final rule?

Table 1 - Recordkeeping Requirements

Record	Standard	Retention Period
Evaluation records	60.12(c)	At least 5 years from date of each evaluation
Sampling records	60.12(g)	At least 5 years from sample date
Corrective actions records	60.13(c)	At least 5 years from date of each corrective action
Written determination records received from a PLHCP	60.14(b)	Duration of miner's employment plus 6 months
Written medical opinion records received from a PLHCP or specialist	60.15(f)	Duration of miner's employment plus 6 months

Other

27. Who can I contact if I have questions about this rule or its implementation?

If you have any further questions, please contact your local MSHA District Office or the Chief of Health Enforcement.

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