Silica Dust Toolbox Talk

Silica Dust Safety Talk

In recent years OSHA has issued new regulations to protect workers from exposure to silica dust. In the past, there were no regulations, and many workers were becoming overexposed and getting sick.

All construction job sites are dusty, but that doesn't necessarily mean they are dangerous. However, if the dust contains pulverized rock and concrete, then there is cause for concern. The CDC reports that over 1.7 million workers come in contact with silica dust while at work.

In this silica safety talk, we will discuss what silica is, explore the hazards and health effects associated with it, and describe ways to prevent overexposure.

What is silica? What is silica dust?

Silica is one of the most common minerals that you can find in the earth's crust. Glass, beach sand, silicone, and granite all contain silica.

There are two forms of silica: crystalline and noncrystalline. Crystalline silica is more hazardous than noncrystalline for health reasons. The most common form of crystalline silica is quartz. Quartz can be found in sand, gravel, clay, granite diatomaceous earth, and many other forms of rock. Non-crystalline silica is found in glass, silicon carbide, and silicone.

Construction workers can be exposed to silica when cutting, grinding, drilling, sanding, mixing, and demolishing materials that could contain silica. The size of silica particles determine the amount of risk involved. When silica particles are airborne, the smaller particles—called silica dust—can be inhaled deep into the lungs where they cause damage. The larger particles do not pose much of a threat because they cannot be inhaled.

Silica dust health hazards and risks

Overexposure to silica can present many health hazards. When the small particles are inhaled, they can penetrate deep into the lungs causing dangerous and sometimes fatal lung problems including silicosis, lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease.

Silicosis

The danger most commonly associated with silica is silicosis. This disease is directly related to inhaling silica dust.

As the dust enters the lungs, it causes scar tissue to form. Scar tissue makes it harder to breathe properly and get the oxygen you need to survive.

Silicosis can lead to other health complications and can even be fatal. There is no known cure at this time, which is why prevention is so important.

Lung cancer

Multiple studies have shown a relationship between silica dust and the risk of lung cancer. The dust causes lungs to scar, and this scarring can lead to lung cancer.

A person develops lung cancer when the abnormal cells multiply in their lungs and form tumors. If the cancer is not caught early, it can spread to other parts of your body.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD encompasses several diseases that affect the lungs. This includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

With emphysema, the tiny air sacs of the lungs are damaged. With chronic bronchitis, the bronchial tubes are inflamed. A person with COPD will experience shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.

COPD is typically irreversible and may only get worse with time, although it is treatable with medications.

Kidney disease

Another health complication a worker can experience from overexposure to silica is kidney disease. With silica exposure, you run the risk of developing chronic kidney disease which develops over time. Treatments for kidney disease can include medications and, if the kidneys shut down completely, dialysis will be needed.

How to prevent overexposure to silica

Now that you understand the health hazards that are associated with breathing in silica dust, it is important to know how to prevent overexposure. Some tips include:

1. Replace materials

Swap out materials that contain crystalline silica for other materials that do not contain it, if possible.

Substituting materials may not always be an option. Ask your foreman about your options before you being working with dangerous materials.

2. Avoid wearing work clothes home

Clothing can hold onto a lot of silica dust, so when you get off work and are ready to head home, try changing clothes. If you cannot change, try shaking or dusting off your clothes as much as possible.

3. Use water spray

Keeping materials wet is a good way to keep the silica dust down when cutting. Using a water spray can help keep materials like concrete from giving off too much dust when you are cutting into them. Remember that water spray should not be used around electrical equipment or outlets.

4. Use LEV

LEV, or local exhaust ventilation, is a piece of equipment that can hook onto other pieces you use that produce dust. The LEV vacuums up the dust closest to the source and helps eliminate the chances of the particles becoming airborne. An LEV is a great solution for all dust hazards on a construction site, not just silica.

5. Don't eat or drink around silica

When you are working in and around silica dust, it is important not to eat or drink anything. You also should not smoke or apply lip balm. If you have to do any of these things, you should leave the dust area and wipe your face and hands clean before doing so.

6. Wear a respirator

A respirator is a device you can wear that controls what you inhale from the air. Like all PPE, a respirator should be used as a last resort if you cannot avoid being exposed to high levels of silica by controlling other factors.

Silica safety starts with you

Once you understand the hazards of silica and how common it is in the construction industry, you will want to focus on how to prevent overexposure for yourself and others. Knowing what materials can expose the dust is the first step to being more cautious. Even when you are performing a task that will create silica dust, there are ways to protect yourself if you follow the simple tips above.

If you are worried about exposure to silica dust on the jobsite, talk to your foreman. If you think you have been overexposed, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Your health is important to your employer and should not be taken lightly.