On February 1, 2008, OSHA announced a new National Emphasis Program that targets worksites where employees are at risk for developing silicosis, a disabling, nonreversible, and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by breathing in a large amount of crystalline silica.

This program builds upon the 1996 Special Emphasis Program, which included the following—

• a list of industries commonly known to have overexposure to silica
• detailed information on potential hazards linked to silica and about current research regarding silica exposure hazards
• guidance on calculating silica in the construction and maritime industries
• guidance on conducting silica-related inspections.

This National Emphasis Program also adds two components to the 1996 program: (1) an evaluation procedure for recording reductions of employee exposures to silica, and (2) information on outreach programs, partnerships and alliances with employers to share resources and training to reduce employee exposures.