SilicaSilica Safety Training Safety Training

Construction Education Foundation

This material was produced under grant number 46CO-HT04 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Class IntroductionClass Introduction

NamePlace of employmentOccupationNumber of years experienceExpectations for the training session

Course OverviewCourse Overview

Introduction to Silica Safety Subpart C: General Safety and Health Provisions Subpart D: Occupational Health and Environmental

Control Subpart E: Personal Protective and Life Saving

Equipment

Introduction to Silica SafetyIntroduction to Silica Safety

ObjectivesObjectives

Define and describe silica Describe the effect of silicosis Identify potentially hazardous situations involving silica

exposure Identify methods for minimizing silica exposure Locate relevant information in

– Subpart C

– Subpart D

– Subpart E

SilicaSilica

What is Silica?What is Silica?

A group of minerals containing silicon and oxygen in chemical combination

General formula SiO2– Free silica is only SiO2– Combined silica is SiO2 chemically combined

with some other atom or molecule

Free silica creates problems for humans

Types of Free SilicaTypes of Free Silica

Crystalline free silica– Beach or bank sands– Fused silica– Cristobalite– Tridymite

Quartz

Occupational Exposure in Occupational Exposure in ConstructionConstruction

Common sandConcrete and masonry productsMany other ways to be exposed at a

construction site (see next slide)

Silica Exposure in Silica Exposure in Construction AreasConstruction Areas

Chipping, hammering, and drilling in rock or concrete or brick

Crushing, loading, hauling, and dumping of rock and concrete

Abrasive blasting using silica sand or from the materials being blasted (concrete)

Sawing, hammering, drilling, grinding, and/or chipping on masonry or concrete

(continued)

Silica Exposure in Silica Exposure in Construction AreasConstruction Areas

Demolition of brick, concrete, or masonryDry sweeping concrete, sand, or rock dustTrenching and excavationTile and grout workTunnelingMetal foundries

Silica Exposure ExamplesSilica Exposure Examples

Silica Exposure ExamplesSilica Exposure Examples

Silica Exposure ExamplesSilica Exposure Examples

SilicosisSilicosis

What Is Silicosis?What Is Silicosis?

Permanent lung damage Caused by breathing dust containing

extremely fine particles of crystalline free silica

It can be totally disabling and lead to death

Types of SilicosisTypes of Silicosis

Chronic silicosis: after ten or more years of exposure to crystalline silica at relatively low concentrations

Accelerated silicosis: after five to ten years of exposure to high concentrations

Acute silicosis: within a few weeks to four or five years after the initial exposure to the highest concentrations

Symptoms of SilicosisSymptoms of Silicosis

Initially there may be no symptomsLater there may be difficulty in

breathing and cough may be presentOther symptoms may include fever,

weight loss, and night sweats* See a physician if you experience these symptoms

and suspect that you are exposed to crystalline silica. All workers breathing crystalline silica dust should have a medical examination.

How Is Silicosis Prevented?How Is Silicosis Prevented?

Prevent dust from being in the airExample: a water hose used to wet dust down at the point of generation

Steps to Protect YourselfSteps to Protect Yourself

Always use the dust control system and keep it in good maintenance.

When sawing concrete of masonry use saws that provide water to the blade.

During rock drilling use water through the drill stem to reduce the amount of dust in the air.

(continued)

(continued)

Steps to Protect YourselfSteps to Protect Yourself

Use dust collection systems which are available for many types of dust generating equipment.

Use local exhaust ventilation to prevent dust from being released into the air.

Steps to Protect YourselfSteps to Protect Yourself

Minimize exposures to nearby workers by using good work practices.

Use abrasive containing less than 1% crystalline silica during abrasive blasting to prevent harmful quartz dust from being released into the air.

Measure dust levels in the air.

Note on RespiratorsNote on Respirators

Should only be used until adequate dust controls are in place

Should not be the primary method of protection

Should be kept fit for use through continual maintenance

When used, OSHA requires employers to establish a comprehensive respiratory protection program

Types of RespiratorsTypes of Respirators

Air-supplied respirator

Types of RespiratorsTypes of Respirators

Air-purifying respirator

Cartridge respirator

Situation Requiring Situation Requiring Respiratory ProtectionRespiratory Protection

Case StudiesCase Studies

Case StudiesCase Studies

SandblasterTile installerBrick masonRock drillerTunnel workerBuilding renovation masonConstruction sandblasters

It’s Not Just DustIt’s Not Just Dust

42 year old construction worker in Pennsylvania

37 year old construction worker in Ohio49 year old construction laborer in Oklahoma41 year old construction worker in Indiana44 year old construction laborer in North

Carolina39 year old construction painter in Ohio

What OSHA SaysWhat OSHA Says

29 CFR Standards29 CFR Standards

OSHA has not issued a specific performance standard for crystalline silica

Crystalline silica is regulated by a number of OSHA standards

Applicable StandardsApplicable Standards

Employer’s must be aware of all of the following:

1926.21 Safety Training and Education1926.23 First Aid and Medical Attention1926.27, 1926.51 Sanitation (hygiene)1926.28 Personal Protective Equipment1926.100 Head Protection

(continued)

Applicable StandardsApplicable Standards

1926.101 Hearing Protection1926.102 Eye and Face Protection1926.103, 1910.134 Respiratory Protection1926.55 Gases, Vapors, Fumes, Dusts, and

Mists (permissible exposure limits)1926.57 Ventilation1926.59 Hazard Communication

Permissible Exposure Limits Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)(PEL)

The permissible exposure limits for mineral dusts—including crystalline silica—in the construction industry (29 CFR 1926.55) depends on the percent of silica in the sand.

Crystalline Silica Worker Crystalline Silica Worker Protection ProgramProtection Program

Employer must firstImplement engineering controlsImplement administrative controls

Then, the employer shall useProtective equipmentProtective measures (e.g., respiratory

protection)

Crystalline Silica Health and Crystalline Silica Health and Safety ProgramSafety Program

Elements of an Effective Elements of an Effective Silica Safety ProgramSilica Safety Program

Air monitoringPersonal hygiene facilities and practicesPersonal protective equipmentRespiratory protectionMedical surveillanceEmployee trainingHousekeeping

EmployersEmployers

Should inform and educate employees

EmployersEmployers

Should implement a medical surveillance program

EmployeesEmployees

Should keep work areas clean to reduce exposure

EmployeesEmployees

Should follow personal hygiene practices

Don’t take it home!

OSHA AssessmentOSHA Assessment

Current Permissible Exposure Current Permissible Exposure LimitsLimits

Over 30 percent of OSHA-collected silica samples from 1982 through 1991 exceeded the current PEL limit

The limit is derived from a calculation that takes into account the percentage of quartz, cristobalite, tridymite, and respirable dust specific to your particular worksite

Current Permissible Exposure Current Permissible Exposure LimitsLimits

For extensive information and calculations, visit the OSHA Web site

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/silica_advisor

Suggested Control MeasuresSuggested Control Measures

On-going, personal air monitoring*Dust control programMedical surveillance program/disease

reportingTraining and information on crystalline

silica*Availability of air and medical surveillance

data*(continued)

Suggested Control MeasuresSuggested Control Measures

Equipment maintenance programRespiratory protection program*Isolated personal hygiene facilities, eating

facilities, and a clothing change areaRecord keeping

(continued)

Suggested Control MeasuresSuggested Control Measures

Housekeeping program*Construction safety and health program*Regulated areas/warning signs

* Required by existing OSHA standards if an overexposure to crystalline exists

Recommendations to Limit Recommendations to Limit ExposuresExposures

Use the appropriate respiratory protection correctly

Use disposable or washable work clothing at the job site

Don’t eat, drink, or smoke in silica dust hazard areas

Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, smoking, or apply cosmetics

General SuggestionsGeneral Suggestions

Provide training and information about health effects, work practices, and protective equipment

Recognize where silica dust may be generated and plan ahead

Use control and containment methodsRoutinely maintain dust control systems

(continued)

General SuggestionsGeneral Suggestions

Conduct air monitoring to measure worker exposure and ensure that controls are adequate

Use adequate respiratory protection when source cannot keep silica exposures below the PEL

Post warning signs

Three Current OSHA CasesThree Current OSHA Cases

New England—employer using Black Beauty to blast concrete

On another construction site—workers doing abrasive blasting were exposed to up to 90% silica and were found to be 80 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL)

Region V-Cleveland—willful violations for silica used in abrasive blasting

OSHA Enforcement Information OSHA Enforcement Information for Constructionfor Construction

From 1985 through 1990, 11% of the workplace deaths due to silicosis where silicosis was identified on the death certificates was in the construction industry

26% of all OSHA sample collected in Construction for crystalline silica exceed the OSHA PEL in 1993 and 1994

OSHA Inspection InformationOSHA Inspection Information

Inspection data from Oct. 1, 1985 through Sept. 30, 1996– Total Inspection where overexposures to

crystalline silica were cited=128– 43 of these inspections were the result of

complaints– 53 of the inspections were referrals– 14 of the inspections were planned– 18 inspections were follow-up or referrals where

overexposures to silica were cited again

Subpart C: General Safety Subpart C: General Safety and Health Provisionsand Health Provisions

Subpart CSubpart C

OSHA’s provisions for general safety and health—the individual standards address topics such as Training and education First aid and medical attention Sanitation PPE

Subpart D: Occupational Subpart D: Occupational Health and Environmental Health and Environmental

ControlsControls

Subpart DSubpart D

OSHA’s provisions for occupational health and environmental controls—the individual standards address topics such as Sanitation Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists Ventilation Hazard communication

Subpart E: Personal Subpart E: Personal Protective and Life-Saving Protective and Life-Saving

EquipmentEquipment

Subpart ESubpart E

OSHA’s standards for selection and use of personal protective and life saving equipment for Head Hearing Eye and face Repiratory

Thank You for Your Thank You for Your ParticipationParticipation

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