For years, Austin-area construction companies have faced a serious challenge: meeting OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica medical surveillance requirements without driving long distances outside the city. While the OSHA silica standard has been in effect since 2017, the specialized medical exams it requires are still difficult to access locally. Many employers must send workers across Central Texas for testing, losing time, productivity, and consistency in the process.
ExpressMD Occupational Medicine is changing that.
We are one of the very few clinics in the Austin region offering the full OSHA-compliant silica medical exam — all in one location, with fast scheduling, certified providers, and comprehensive reporting that meets regulatory standards.
Why Silica Testing Matters — and Why Access Has Been Limited
Crystalline silica is common across construction, masonry, concrete work, and industrial operations. It exists in basic materials like:
- Sand
- Stone
- Brick
- Concrete
When these materials are cut, drilled, blasted, or crushed, they produce respirable silica — microscopic particles small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs.
Long-term exposure significantly increases the risk of:
- Silicosis (a chronic and often disabling lung disease)
- Lung cancer
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Kidney disease
Because these risks are severe and irreversible, OSHA strengthened its respirable crystalline silica standards in September 2017. The rule requires employers to reduce silica exposure and conduct ongoing medical surveillance to protect workers.
But here’s the problem:
Austin has had almost no accessible providers offering the full OSHA-required silica exam.
Testing usually required:
- Long travel times
- Multiple appointments across different clinics
- Delays in scheduling
- Fragmented reporting that complicates compliance
This made it hard for contractors and industrial employers to stay compliant — especially as Austin’s construction industry continues to grow at record speed.
ExpressMD: Austin’s Local, Streamlined Solution for Silica Surveillance
ExpressMD Urgent Care stepped in to address this gap.
We support businesses throughout the Austin region with complete, OSHA-aligned silica medical exams conducted all in one place, with efficient scheduling and clear employer reporting.
Our providers understand the complexity of the silica rule — from required testing to documentation — and help companies stay compliant with confidence.
Our OSHA-Compliant Silica Medical Exam Includes:
- TB blood test
- Chest X-ray with B-read analysis
- Pulmonary function test (PFT) — NIOSH-certified
- Comprehensive medical exam
- Review of medical and occupational exposure history
This integrated approach eliminates the need for multi-stop appointments or sending workers hours outside the Austin metro.
Why Austin Employers Choose ExpressMD for Silica Compliance
1. Local Availability — Finally
We are one of the only clinics in the Austin region offering complete silica medical surveillance on-site. No long travel. No off-site testing centers. No delays.
2. Construction-Focused Expertise
ExpressMD has supported contractors and construction firms with silica compliance since OSHA’s rule began in 2017. We understand the field realities, shift schedules, and urgency required.
3. Streamlined Screening to Reporting
From initial tests to final documentation, ExpressMD manages the entire process — reducing admin burden and ensuring your compliance records are complete and organized.
4. Faster Scheduling and Turnaround
Because we handle all components internally and partner with certified specialists, employers get faster results and consistent reporting.
5. One Point of Contact for Compliance
Your safety managers and HR teams never have to coordinate multiple vendors. ExpressMD keeps the process simple, clear, and efficient.
Serving Employers Across the Austin Region
ExpressMD supports companies throughout:
- Austin
- Round Rock
- Pflugerville
- Cedar Park
- Georgetown
- Buda
- Kyle
- San Marcos
As the region continues to expand, silica compliance gaps will only grow — but ExpressMD ensures businesses have a reliable, local solution they can depend on.
Protect Your Workers. Stay OSHA-Compliant. Keep Operations Moving.
Austin’s construction and industrial sectors shouldn’t have to send workers halfway across Texas to meet OSHA silica requirements. With ExpressMD, you have a trusted local partner who understands the regulations, delivers the full exam on-site, and keeps your workforce safe and compliant.
Contact ExpressMD Occupational Medicine today to schedule silica surveillance exams for your team.