Industry report: OSHA way off on cost of silica standard

A new construction industry report raises significant questions about the economic impact of OSHA’s proposed silica standard for construction, saying it will cost the industry about 10 times what the agency estimated.

The proposed rule would greatly reduce the permissible exposure limit for silica in construction with the goal of reducing the risk to workers of silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease. OSHA estimated the cost to the industry at about $511 million a year. However, the Construction Industry Safety Coalition did its own estimate and concluded the cost would be about $5 billion a year.

The Coalition estimated that 80 percent of the expense will be for direct compliance, such as additional equipment, labor and record-keeping. The balance would be reflected in increased prices for construction materials and building products, such as concrete block, glass, roofing shingles.

The industry is calling on OSHA to reconsider the proposed standard.