Silica dust became big news in early 2016. In March, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued new regulations governing the control of silica dust in the workplace. These rules are significantly more stringent than previous regulations. Many manufacturers will need to scramble to adjust to the new limits—fortunately, solutions exist to meet the challenge.

What is silica and why is it a problem?

Silica is one of the most common substances found on the planet. Silica is a large component of sand, granite, and many other types of rock. Its most common form, quartz, makes up 12% of the earth’s crust.