OSHA's final rule on Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica covers engineering controls, protective clothing, medical surveillance and other issues. OSHA presents the rule as two standards - one for general industry and maritime and the other for construction. Highlights include:

• Mandating that employers use engineering controls and work practices to restrict worker exposure, bar access to high-exposure sites, supply respiratory protection when controls cannot curb exposures to the PEL, train employees, and offer medical exams to highly exposed workers
• Offering a table of specified controls that construction employers can follow for "greater certainty and ease of compliance" without monitoring exposure
• Allowing employers to have enough time to satisfy requirements by spacing out compliance dates