Professional Dust Control

What is silica and where does silica dust come from?

Silica is found in many materials common on construction and oil & gas sites, including soil, sand, concrete, masonry, rock, granite, and landscaping materials. The dust created by cutting, grinding, drilling or otherwise disturbing these materials can contain crystalline silica particles. Activities such as abrasive blasting with sand; sawing brick or concrete; sanding or drilling into concrete walls; grinding mortar; manufacturing brick, concrete blocks, stone countertops, or ceramic products; and cutting or crushing stone result in respirable crystalline silica dust.

What is the OSHA Silica standard?

The OSHA Silica Table 1 covers options to limit worker exposure:

1. Limit exposure through reduced time or personal protective equipment. Also offer medical exams- including chest x-rays and lung function tests. OSHA Table 1 limits the permissable exposure level to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, over an 8 hour time weighted average.
2. Utilize machines equipped with dust containment systems such as vacuums with HEPA filters

The vacuum system needs a HEPA filter that captures 95% of dust

What is the impact of breathing in silica dust over time?

Workers who inhale these very small crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases, including:

• Silicosis, an incurable lung disease that can lead to disability and death;
• Lung cancer;
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and
• Kidney disease.

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