No. None of the standard’s requirements apply if, without implementing any controls, all employees’ exposures to silica will remain below the AL of 25 μg/m3 as an 8-hour TWA under any foreseeable conditions.
Definitions (29 C.F.R. § 1926.1153(b))
The standard defines certain key terms used in the rule. The standard defines such terms as “action level” (a concentration of airborne respirable crystalline silica of 25 μg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA), “employee exposure” (exposure to airborne respirable crystalline silica that would occur if the employee were not using a respirator), and “competent person” (an individual who is capable of identifying existing and foreseeable respirable crystalline silica hazards in the workplace, and has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or minimize them and the knowledge and ability necessary to fulfill the responsibilities set forth in paragraph (g) of the standard). 29 C.F.R. § 1926.1153(b).