|
Silica, Crystalline |
|
Construction |
|
|
|
|
Quick Link |
|
|
Alliances
-
ADSC: International Association of Foundation Drilling. OSHA
Alliance Page. Focuses on providing the association’s
members and others in the foundation drilling industry, including small
businesses and non-English or limited English speaking employees, with
information, guidance, and access to training resources to help them
protect employees’ health and safety.
-
Silica-Related Diseases.
Provides links to OSHA Alliance pages that have information
specifically relating to silica-related diseases.
OSHA Standards
Exposures to crystalline silica are addressed in specific standards for the
construction industry. This section highlights OSHA standards and the Regulatory
Agenda (a list of actions being taken with regard to OSHA standards) related to
crystalline silica in the construction industry.
Highlighted Standards
Construction Industry (29
CFR 1926)
- 1926 Subpart
D, Occupational health and environmental controls
- 1926.55,
Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
-
Appendix A, Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
- 1926.57,
Ventilation
Regulatory Agenda
Hazard
Recognition
Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes
fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to respirable crystalline silica. The
following references aid in recognizing crystalline silica hazards in the
workplace.
-
Crystalline Silica Exposure Card for Construction.
OSHA, (2002). A
Spanish version is also available. Discusses what silica is, what are
its hazards, and what employers and employees can do to protect against
exposures to silica.
-
Crystalline Silica Exposure in the
Construction Industry. OSHA. Also available as a 55 KB
PDF, 2 pages.
-
"Crystalline Silica Exposure" Health Hazard Information for
Construction Employees.
OSHA Publication 3177, (2002). Also
available as a 38 KB PDF,
2 pages and a 42 KB
PDF (Spanish version). Discusses what silica is, what are its
hazards, and what employers and employees
can do to protect against exposures to
silica.
- Crystalline
Silica Exposures in Construction. OSHA (Ellen I. Roznowski), (1997, July). Includes case
studies and OSHA enforcement data.
-
Silicosis: Learn the Facts. US Department of Health
and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-108, (2004). Contains information on
silica dust, silicosis disease, its symptoms, protective measures and which
respirators to use.
- Silicosis in Sandblasters: A Case Study Adapted for Use in U.S. High Schools.
US Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-105, (2002,
June). Provides a case study developed for use in teaching epidemiology to high school students.
Includes basic information about the disease silicosis, potential routes of exposure to silica, and controls.
- Respirable
Crystalline Silica Exposures During Tuck Pointing. US Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS), National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2000-113, (1999, November).
- Preventing
Silicosis and Deaths in Construction Workers. US Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS), National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-112, (1996). Contains information on
crystalline silica, silicosis disease, exposure limits, case studies, and
examples of exposures at construction sites.
- Preventing Silicosis and Deaths from Sandblasting.
US Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-102, (1992,
August). Contains silica hazard information for abrasive blasting.
- Preventing Silicosis and Death in Rock Drillers.
US Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-107, (1992,
August). Contains silica hazard information for rock drillers.
- Prevention of Silicosis Deaths.
US Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 93-124,
(1993). Describes silica hazards in sandblasting operations.
- Flanagan ME, Loewenherz C, et al.
Indoor wet concrete cutting and coring exposure evaluation. Applied
Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 2001 Dec;16(12):1097-100.
- Simcox NJ, Logren D, et al.
Silica exposure during granite counter top fabrication. Applied
Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 1999;14(9):577-82.
- Silicosis
in Construction. Demolition Magazine (John A. Mineo), (1997, Mar-Apr). Summarizes
silicosis in construction, including information on silicosis disease,
sources of exposure, exposure limits, and control measures.
- For information on the health effects of silicosis and for general
resources, see the general industry
Hazard Recognition page.
- For additional information on the hazards associated with crystalline
silica exposure, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
Exposure Evaluation
Possible Solutions
Controlling the exposure to silica can be done through
engineering controls, administrative actions, and personal protective equipment
(PPE).
Engineering controls include such things as replacing silica with another
material, isolating the source, and using ventilation systems. Administrative
actions include limiting the worker's exposure time and providing showers. PPE includes wearing the proper respiratory protection
and clothing. The following references aid in controlling crystalline silica
hazards in the workplace.
- Construction
Workers: It's Not Just Dust! ... Prevent Silicosis. US Department of Health
and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-101, (1997), 1
MB
PDF,
6 pages.
Summarizes the presence of silica exposures in the construction industry and
describes prevention measures.
- Control
Technology for Crystalline Silica Exposures in Construction: Wet Abrasive
Blasting. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Report No. ECTB 247-11,
(1999, December). Describes how a wet abrasive blasting system sufficiently
reduced respirable crystalline silica exposures so that air purifying
respirators could be used to control worker exposure to crystalline silica.
- For additional information regarding possible ways of controlling
crystalline silica exposures, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages
on:
- For additional information, see the general industry
Possible Solutions page.
Additional Information
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages
Training
-
Silicosis. OSHA. Provides program information, presentation and training
materials
-
Silica. Slide Presentation, 78 slides.
Other Resources
|
|
|
|