Crystalline Silica Medical Surveillance

Talking points

1. Medical surveillance is required for workers exposed above the action level (25 µg/m³) for 30 or more days per year.
2. The initial exam must occur within 30 days of assignment and includes a medical history, physical exam, chest X-ray, and pulmonary function test.
3. Follow-up exams are required every three years for workers who remain exposed above the action level.
4. The examining physician must be informed of the worker's exposure level, respirator use, and the specific tasks performed.
5. Workers must receive a copy of the physician's written medical opinion. If the doctor recommends limitations on your respirator use or your silica exposure, those recommendations go into the written report — follow up on them with your employer, because acting on them is how surveillance actually protects you.

Ask the crew

Are there workers on this crew who should be enrolled in silica medical surveillance — and is everyone current on their exams?

Standards this talk is built on

• 29 CFR 1926.1153(h)
• 29 CFR 1910.1053(i)

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.

Sign-in sheet

Print this page to collect signatures, or run the talk in Jobsite and workers sign in on their phones.

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