Ken Chapman & Assoc.
Phone: (205) 366-0265
Fax: (205) 366-0401
info@leaderscode.com

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Safety

Silicosis
Copyright © All rights reserved
By Randy Oglesby
 Ken Chapman & Associates, Inc.

On May 2, 1996 OSHA implemented a Special Emphasis Program (SEP) to reduce and eliminate the workplace incidence of silicosis from exposure to crystalline silica.  The SEP includes (but is not limited to) the following SIC codes:

Each year 300 people die from silicosis.  Approximately 2 million workers are exposed to silica each year.

Crystalline silica is the basic component of sand, quartz, and granite rock.  Occupational exposure to silica dust has long been known to produce silicosis, pneumoconiosis or dust disease of the lung.  Activities such as sandblasting, rock drilling, roof bolting, foundry work, stonecutting, drilling, quarrying, brick/block/concrete cutting, gunite operations, lead-based paint encapsulant applications, and tunneling through the earth’s crust can create an airborne silica exposure hazard.  In addition, some recently noted exposures to crystalline silica include the following:

•       Asphalt paving manufacturing may be a source due to the mechanical formation of silica dust when sand and aggregate passes through rotary dryers. 

•       The repair or replacement of linings of rotary kilns found in pulp and paper mills and in other manufacturing locations as well as the linings in cupola furnaces are potential sourced of crystalline silica exposure. 

Because silica is so abundant in our natural resources it is possible that your operations use silica and are not even aware of its presence.  To determine the presence of silica in your workplace you should:

• Identify factors that indicate probable use of silica
• Check product labels
• Check the Material Safety Data Sheets

If you suspect silica is being used and that it may be in the air, OSHA requires that you measure the amount of respirable silica dust there is in the air at your operation.  In order to find out the silica concentration level you must first collect a sample and then have the sample analyzed by a laboratory.

There is not one crystalline silica exposure limit for all cases.  Rather, the limit is derived from a calculation that takes into account the percentage of quartz, cristobalite, tridymite, and respirable dust specific to your particular work-site.

OSHA regulation 1910.1000 Able Z-3 is used to determine the exposure limits for crystalline silica.  Though this regulation is under the General Industry Standard, crystalline silica exposures in the Construction and Maritime Industries are subject to this same limit. 

If it is determined that crystalline silica is a hazard in your workplace, OSHA requires that you implement the best possible permanent solution to eliminate or reduce the hazard.  If such a solution cannot be enacted immediately, then you are required to implement a temporary control to protect your workers until the permanent solution is put in place.  You must also notify your workers of the hazard and train them on the specific hazards associated with crystalline silica exposure.

The following solutions are listed in order of preference:

• Use a silica substitute
• Use engineering controls
• Improve work practices
• Use personal protective equipment

Remember, OSHA states that the use of personal protective equipment should only be used if there are no other means of reducing exposure to the hazard.

The following is a list of elements which may be included in an effective silicosis prevention program:

• Ongoing personal air monitoring program*
• Ongoing medical surveillance program*
• Training and information to workers on crystalline silica*
• Availability of air and medical surveillance data to workers*
• An effective respiratory protection program*
• Hygiene facilities and clothing change areas
• Appropriate record keeping*
• Personal exposures below the PEL or the facility has an abatement program that also provides for interim worker protection
• Housekeeping program*
• In construction – a safety and health program*
• Regulated areas

( * Required by specific OSHA standards if an overexposure to silica exists)

For more information about Ken Chapman and Associates’ Environmental and Health and Safety Management Programs contact Randy Oglesby at 205.366.0265 or email Randy at rogelsby@leaderscode.com. 

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