The New Silica Standard requires Respiratory Protection.

• A. No
• B. Requires Respiratory Protection
• C. Only for small businesses
• D. Only for long tasks

Answer: (B)

The essential idea is that protecting workers from silica dust relies first on controlling exposure with engineering measures, and not necessarily on respirators alone. The standard requires using respirators as part of a complete control plan when engineering controls cannot keep exposure below the permissible limit. That means employers must have a full respirator program (selection, medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and program administration) for workers whose tasks can expose them to silica above the allowed level. The protection isn’t limited to small businesses or to long tasks—any exposed worker may need respiratory protection if the exposure assessment shows the need. So stating that respiratory protection is required captures the standard’s enforceable obligation when exposure exceeds the limit, making it the best answer. The other options are incorrect because protection isn’t automatically required in all cases (No), nor is it restricted to just small businesses (Only for small businesses) or to only long tasks (Only for long tasks).