A Silica Physical Exam is required by OSHA to be performed upon hire (or prior to silica exposure) and every 3 years thereafter (or more frequently if determined by a physician).
Workers who inhale these very small crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases, including:
Respirable crystalline silica are very small particles at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand and are are created when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar.
Industrial sand used in certain operations, such as foundry work and hydraulic fracturing (fracking), is also a source of respirable crystalline silica exposure. About 2.3 million people in the U.S. are exposed to silica at work.
Number exposed in the U.S alone
Smaller than ordinary sand
Workers who inhale these very small crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases, including:
The respirable crystalline silica standard requires at a minimum the following:
The physician will also review the employer’s notes that detail the patient’s job description and level of exposure to silica and other hazardous materials.
We also offer many other Physicals, Screenings and Tests and Employer Services from Biometric Screenings to Work Injury Treatment Plans.
We offer a number of screenings, tests, and other medical services from Biometric Screenings to Vaccinations to X-Rays, and more.
We offer a number of physicals related to DOT, Non-DOT Medical Services, and OSHA-Related work, such as DOT Physicals, Respiratory and HAZMAT/HAZWOPER Physicals, and more.
We offer services for all different types of employers, whether you are regulated by DOT, OSHA or any other government organization. We can manage your Work Injury Treatment Plans.
Our On-Site Clinics can be utilized in one of two ways, On-Site Clinical Staffing or Mobile Clinics. This means we can either send a team of staff members to your place of business and use your facility to administer services or they can perform the services in our Mobile Clinics.
Our On-Site Clinical Staff are contracted to perform the medical services you need, when you need them, utilizing your facility spaces.
Our medical staff will coordinate with you to determine the best place to set up our Mobile Health Clinic as well as how long you would need the unit.
Our Occupational Healthcare staff members specialize in Silica Physicals and are ready to answer any questions you have whether you need In-Clinic Services or Onsite Clinic Services. All medical staff has very specific knowledge in Occupational Medicine, which is exactly what you need.
Please be advised that all articles, blogs and written material are not intended to replace the advice of a physician.
When employees are exposed to respirable crystalline silica above OSHA action levels or must wear respirators.
Yes—and it happens frequently. Employers often assume they are compliant because:
OSHA hasn’t inspected them
No citations have been issued
No employees have reported symptoms
In reality, compliance gaps often go unnoticed until an inspection, illness, or legal review occurs.
No. Medical surveillance is triggered at or above OSHA’s Action Level, which is half of the PEL. Employers can be required to implement medical surveillance even when exposures do not exceed the PEL.
Construction, manufacturing, mining, stone fabrication, and concrete work.
Medical history, physical exam, lung function testing, and imaging when indicated.
Every three years or more frequently if recommended by the physician.
Due to ongoing cases of silicosis and new data showing high risk even with existing controls.
Missing baseline exams or incomplete physician written opinions.
Yes. Exposure monitoring often reveals Action Level exceedances even when engineering controls are in place, such as wet cutting or ventilation. Controls can vary by task, employee, or condition and are not a substitute for monitoring.
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