OSHA’s new respirable crystalline silica standard took effect Sept. 23, but the agency will not be aggressively enforce provisions during the first 30 days.

According to a memo from acting OSHA administrator Thomas Galassi, “During the first 30 days of enforcement, OSHA will carefully evaluate good faith efforts taken by employers in their attempts to meet the new construction silica standard. OSHA will render compliance assistance and outreach to assure that covered employers are fully and properly complying with its requirements.”

The Galassi memo noted that OSHA will pay particular attention to helping employers “fully and properly” implement the controls in the standard’s Table 1.

If upon inspection, it appears that an employer is not making efforts to comply, OSHA says employers may be considered for citation. Any proposed citations related to inspections conducted during the 30-day period will require national office review. As well, OSHA says it will provide interim inspection and citation guidelines prior to the end of the 30-day period.