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NIOSH Publication No. 2009-124:Reducing Hazardous Dust Exposure When Rock Drilling During Construction |
April 2009 |
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SummaryConstruction workers may be exposed to hazardous dust containing crystalline silica during site preparation when drilling systems are used. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that drill dust could be decreased by using wet or dry dust reduction engineering controls, enclosed cabs, and implementing a dust control program. Description of ExposureBreathing dust that contains crystalline silica can lead to silicosis, a deadly lung disease. No effective treatment exists for silicosis, but it can be prevented by controlling workers’ exposures to dust containing crystalline silica. Exposure to crystalline silica has also been linked to lung cancer, kidney disease, reduced lung function, and other disorders [NIOSH 2002]. Many tasks in construction may generate dust containing crystalline silica: grinding or cutting concrete, tuckpointing masonry, using a jackhammer to break concrete, or when using drilling systems during construction. Rock drilling before blasting for highway construction may generate a large amount of dust containing crystalline silica. Also, rock drilling for other reasons during construction such as site preparation, pipeline installation, or water well drilling may generate hazardous dust (see Figure 1). Acute and accelerated cases of silicosis have been reported in rock drillers [NIOSH 1992]. NIOSH [1996] noted that a drill operator working at a building site where no dust controls were used was exposed to 16 times the NIOSH recommended exposure level (REL). NIOSH Studies and ControlsNIOSH has conducted studies in the construction and mining industries where rock drilling is done. Engineering controls and work practices identified in these studies help prevent silicosis by keeping dust containing crystalline silica out of the air workers may breathe (see Figure 2). NIOSH recommends that the same controls and work practices, described below, be used in construction activities where rock drilling may generate silica dust. Under federal occupational safety and health regulations, employers have the responsibility for implementing engineering controls and administrative controls, providing personal protective equipment, and providing safety and health training for employees.
Site Set-Up
Engineering Controls
Personal Hygiene, Protective Clothing, and Work Practices
Respiratory Protection
AcknowledgmentsThe principal contributors to this publication were John Organiscak, Andrew Cecala, and Steven Page of the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. John Whalen under a contract with the U.S. Public Health Service, Division of Federal Occupational Health served as writer/editor. ReferencesCFR. Code of Federal regulations. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Office of the Federal Register. NIOSH [1992]. NIOSH Alert: Preventing silicosis and death in rock drillers. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Helath and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 1992–107. NIOSH [1996]. NIOSH Alert: Preventing silicosis and deaths in construction workers. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 1996–112. NIOSH [2002]. NIOSH Hazard Review: Health effects of occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002–129. Organiscak JA, Page SJ, Cecala AB, Kissell FN [2003]. Surface mine dust control. In: Kissell FN, ed. Handbook of Dust Control in Mining. Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Information Circular 9465, pp 73–82. Pollock DE, Cecala AB, Zimmer JA, O’Brien AD, Howell JL [2006]. A new method to clean dust from soiled work clothes. In: Mutmansky JM, Ramani RV eds. Proceedings of the 11th U.S./North American Mine Ventilation Symposium (University Park, PA, June 5–7, 2006). London: Taylor & Francis Group, pp. 197–201. For More InformationThe information in this document is based on NIOSH field studies. More information about silica hazards and controls is available on the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/silica/default.html. To receive more information about occupational safety and health topics, contact NIOSH at Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636) or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to NIOSH eNews by visiting www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews. Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH. In addition, citations to Web sites external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH endorsement of the sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these Web sites. This document is in the public domain and may be freely copied or reprinted. NIOSH encourages all readers of the Workplace Solutions to make them available to all interested employers and workers. As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NIOSH is the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations to prevent work-related illnesses and injuries. All Workplace Solutions are based on research studies that show how worker exposures to hazardous agents or activities can be significantly reduced. Reducing Hazardous Dust Exposure When Rock Drilling During ConstructionDHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2009-124April 2009Safer • Healthier • People™ DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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