When exposed to crystalline silica, workers are at a higher risk of developing lung, kidney and autoimmune diseases. According to OSHA&#;s respirable crystalline silica standard for construction, employers must provide proper training and PPE for any worker who may come in contact with the substance.

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What is crystalline silica?

Crystalline silica is a mineral found in both natural and man-made materials. The most common type of crystalline silica is quartz. Because it is such a fine mineral, crystalline silica can be breathed in during common tasks like sand blasting, cutting concrete blocks and grinding mortar.

What types of material is crystalline silica found in?

Workers may encounter silica in naturally occurring materials like sand, rock and stone. It&#;s also present in many synthetic materials used in construction tasks, including concrete, brick, mortar, tile, block and artificial stone.

How do you protect employees from silica dust on the job?

To protect workers, it&#;s important to follow OSHA&#;s hierarchy of controls, which aims to help organizations avoid injuries, illnesses and incidents by following a predetermined set of steps. These steps help employers control hazards and create a healthy work environment.

*Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

The first level of defense against silica dust are engineering controls. These types of controls eliminate or isolate silica dust to the area where it originates. Some of the most common engineering controls include:

• Water or foam: This method uses water or foam to keep silica dust out of the air. By wetting down a surface before cutting or grinding a material containing silica dust, you can minimize the amount of dust released into the air.

• Vacuum dust collection: This method collects dust at the point where it&#;s made with a vacuum connected directly to a tool.

• Isolation: This method protects an employee from silica dust through the use of a barrier, like the cab of a piece of heavy equipment.

The second level of defense is work practices, which means performing a job in a way that minimizes silica dust exposure. This requires training, as employees need to be able to determine the effectiveness of engineering controls and address them if they&#;re not working properly. Other positive work practices include scheduling dusty tasks when fewer employees are present and using proper methods when cleaning up silica dust.

The final level of protection is PPE, like respirators and dust masks. This type of protection should be used in combination with engineering controls and work practice controls for the most effective silica dust protection.

 

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How Do You Control the Hazard?

Hazards of Silica in Construction

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Whether it's silica dust or anything else that employees are being overexposed to, you want to control the problem by starting at the top of the following sequence. Reference T8CCR, Section for details on how Cal/OSHA requires this hierarchy of controls. Go to Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards - Important Update for guidance.

Eliminate or reduce the silica content.

"Engineer" out the exposure - i.e. use an effective local exhaust or vacuum tool system, wet-cutting and/or isolate the source of dust.

Use administrative and work practice controls, such as limiting the amount of time of exposure and working with materials in a way that reduces the generation of airborne dust.

Use personal protective equipment, such as a respirator and coveralls that keeps the dust off the clothes you wear home. Respirators may still be required if the above controls don't adequately reduce exposure levels.

Isolation

• Enclose the work so all dust is contained within the enclosure and all employees are outside.
• Establish a perimeter around the source of the airborne dust to keep employees away and prevent exposures.

In both cases, careful attention is needed where employees need to enter the affected area once the process has stopped or the enclosure has been removed. There may be considerable dust contamination that can easily become airborne due to traffic and other activities, such as clean up.

Ventilation

Use a local exhaust or vacuum tool system that removes airborne dust before it gets to the breathing zone of the operator or surrounding employees.

Some important things to watch out for:

• The exhaust system needs to be properly designed in order for it to effectively control exposure. This means an exhaust hood design that allows for effective capture of airborne dust.
• The users need to make sure it is consistently set up according to the manufacturer's specifications, and remains so throughout its use. This includes using the shortest flexible ducting with the least amount of bends.
• The system needs to be maintained to ensure optimal air exhaust. This includes ensuring the dust collectors are serviced as needed. NOTE: Maintenance of the system can result in significant dust exposures, so respiratory protection may be needed.
• User training on the proper use and maintenance of the equipment.

Wet-Cutting

Use a wet-cutting system that minimizes the generation of dry dust.

What to watch out for:

• Systems meeting Nationally Recognized Testing Lab (NRTL) approval requirements for electrical systems in wet conditions, including GFCI-protected electrical sources.
• Set up and maintenance of the equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. This will include ensuring water flow rates within specifications.
• User training on the proper use and maintenance of the equipment.

Work Practice Controls

DO's

• Work with materials in a way that minimizes the generation of airborne dust.
• Wet sweeping where possible using water or a sweeping compound.
• Use vacuums and exhaust systems with adequate filtration.  Reference Section .3
• Wet materials before disturbing, unless that creates significant muscular skeletal strain, slip or other safety hazards.
• Use a water mist to keep airborne dust down.

DON'Ts

• Work with materials dry unless you also have a good exhaust system or there is simply no other way to do it safely, in which case a good respirator protection program will be necessary.
• Use compressed air to clean dust off of surfaces, equipment or yourself.

Respirator Protection

If your employees are using one, then make sure that they are doing so via a respirator protection program that meets Section requirements, including:

1. They are using the right one for the type of material in question. This means
   • The filter will filter out the particle size employees are being exposed to, as well as any other hazardous materials, such as solvents, that may be present.
   • The respirator's protection factor is suitable for the exposures being encountered.
2. They are medically approved to wear one.
3. It fits them properly. This means the user needs to
   • Do a positive/negative fit check every time they put a respirator on.
   • Undergo a qualitative or quantitative fit-test at least annually.
4. They've been trained on the respirators' limitations and how to properly use, clean and store it.
   • This includes making sure they do not have facial hair that breaks or interferes with the seal between the respirator and their face.
5. Someone in the organization has been given the responsibility to make sure the program is being implemented correctly.

Other Sources of Information

Respirator Protection: Guidelines on how to make sure you as the employer have an effective respirator protection program that includes:

• Selection of the appropriate type.
• Medical approval.
• Fit-testing.
• Training on how to wear and maintain.

OSHA guidance document "OSHA's Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction". Note that this guide references the OSHA program and related standards. Employers in California need to abide by Cal/OSHA regulations.

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