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Safety and Health Topics |
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| Silica, Crystalline |
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Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to respirable
crystalline silica. Silica exposure remains a serious threat to nearly two million
US workers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that each year more than 250 die from silicosis
and hundreds more are disabled. There is no cure for the disease, but it is 100 percent preventable if employers, workers, and health professionals work together to reduce exposures. [More...]
The following questions link to information relevant to crystalline silica in
the workplace.
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What OSHA standards apply?
Standards | Regulatory Agenda | Preambles to Final Rules | Directives | More |
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What information is available for the construction industry?
Alliances | OSHA Standards | Hazard Recognition | More |
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What information is available about silica and its health effects?
General Resources | Health Effects |
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How are silica exposures evaluated in the workplace?
Sampling and Analysis | Analytical Methods |
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What are some examples of possible solutions for workplace hazards? |
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What
additional information is available?
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages | Training | More |
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In Focus |
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Hot Topics
Hurricane Recovery
General
- Control of Silica Exposure in Foundries. OSHA and American Foundry Society (AFS) Alliance, (2008, April), 3 MB PDF, 80 pages. Provides foundry industry employers and employees with information that can help control the potential hazards of respirable crystalline silica.
- OSHA Establishes a New National Emphasis Program on Silica. OSHA Trade News
Release, (2008, February 1). Announces a new
National Emphasis Program (NEP) to target worksites where employees are at
risk for developing silicosis.
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National Emphasis Program – Crystalline Silica. OSHA Directive
CPL 03-00-007, (2008, January 24). Includes an
updated list of industries commonly known to have overexposures to silica;
detailed information on potential hazards linked to silica and about
current research regarding silica exposure hazards; guidance on
calculating the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for dust containing
respirable crystalline silica in the construction and maritime industries;
and guidance on conducting silica-related inspections.
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Silicosis. OSHA.
Links to program information, presentation and training materials, and National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) articles.
eTools
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 Silica. OSHA. A downloadable
version is also available. Links to an expert training and
information aid. Includes current information that will assist
businesses and workers in identifying potential silica hazards in their
workplaces by choosing appropriate sampling and analytical techniques,
comparing monitoring results with the silica exposure limits, and
selecting appropriate short and long-term control options.
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