Dangers of (Crystalline) Silica Dust Dangers of (Crystalline) Silica Dust Company Harlan McPhee North McPhee South Powerhawke Ravex Richards Company Using the Form Job Name * Job Name and/or Number Date * Dangers of (Crystalline) Silica Dust There has been much discussion about silica dust in the past few years. OSHA has issued a regulation to help protect workers from overexposure to this dust. It has been largely unregulated in the past and because of this, many workers have been faced with potential overexposure. The CDC reports that an estimated 1.7 million U.S. workers are exposed to silica dust on the job. What is Silica Dust and Where is it Found? Crystalline silica is an important industrial material found abundantly in the earth’s crust. Quartz, the most common form of silica, is a component of sand, stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar. Materials containing quartz are found in a wide variety of workplaces. Common industries and operations where crystalline silica is found include construction, glass products, concrete products, foundries, cut stone products, railroad track maintenance, abrasive blasting, and many more. Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica occurs when cutting, sawing, drilling, and crushing of concrete, brick, ceramic tiles, rock, and stone products. Health Effects and Illnesses Caused by Silica Dust Silica dust is hazardous when very small respirable particles are inhaled. These respirable dust particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause disabling and sometimes fatal lung diseases, including silicosis and lung cancer, as well as kidney disease. Best Practices in Reducing Exposure to Silica Dust • Eliminate the source of the dust whether that is through engineering controls or a change in work processes. • Use collection or vacuum systems to collect dust at the point of operation to avoid suspending the dust in the air. • Use wet methods when cutting or breaking any concrete or similar materials. • Use water as a means of suppression for the dust on roadways or in work areas. • Stay out of areas where silica dust levels are high as well as avoiding being downwind from these areas. • Use proper respirators when engineering controls are not enough to protect you. Remember that the use of respirators for silica exposure requires employees to be enrolled in a respiratory program which includes being medically evaluated to ensure you can wear a respirator and getting a fit test performed. • Additional guidance can be found in the Phalcon Safety Manual, Chapter 40 and the OSHA standard 1926.1153 Exposure Control Plan When working with respirable silica, a written exposure control plan is required that has at least the following elements: • A description of the tasks that involve exposure to respirable crystalline silica • A description of the engineering controls, work practices and respiratory protection used to limit exposure to silica for each task • A description of the housekeeping measures used to limit exposure • A description of the procedures used to restrict access to work areas, when necessary, to minimize the number of employees exposed to silica and their level of exposure, including exposures generated by other trades. Summary It is important to understand the hazards that silica dust creates for the workers who are exposed to it. While the regulation for silica dust is fairly new, the hazards and health consequences have been known for decades. Use engineering controls and other effective safeguards to reduce the amount of this dust in the air to reduce employee exposure. Additional Comments Foreman Name * Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Toolbox Talk Attendee Attended By (Required) Picture Upload Drop a file here or click to upload Choose File Maximum upload size: 52.43MB reCAPTCHA If you are human, leave this field blank. Submit Δ
