Why This Matters
Silica dust causes silicosis (irreversible lung disease), lung cancer, and kidney disease. There is no cure for silicosis.
Where Silica Is Found
Silica is found in concrete, brick, mortar, stone, sand, and tile. It is released when cutting, grinding, drilling, and jackhammering.
The PEL
The permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica is 50 bcg/m9 (8-hour time-weighted average). This is an extremely small amount of dust.
Table 1 Controls
OSHA's Table 1 specifies dust controls for common tasks such as wet methods, vacuum dust collection, and enclosed cabs.
Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protection is required when engineering controls aren't enough. Minimum protection includes N95 for some tasks and half-face air-purifying respirators (APR) for others per Table 1.
Housekeeping
Never dry sweep or use compressed air to clean silica dust. Use wet methods or HEPA vacuums only.
Medical Surveillance
Medical surveillance is required for workers exposed above the action level for 30 or more days per year. This includes chest X-rays and lung function tests.
Key Takeaways
- Silica exposure causes serious irreversible diseases
- OSHA's PEL is very low; controls are critical
- Use specified dust control methods and PPE
- Medical surveillance protects worker health
Quiz Time
Test your knowledge with these 5 questions. You must score 70% to pass.