~ Crystalline Silica Safety
Crystalline silica is a common mineral that is found in construction materials such as sand, stone, concrete, brick, and mortar. When workers cut, grind, drill, or crush materials that contain crystalline silica, very small dust particles are created. These tiny particles can travel deep into workers’ lungs and cause silicosis, an incurable and sometimes deadly lung disease. Respirable crystalline silica also causes lung cancer, other potentially debilitating respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease. In most cases, these diseases occur after years of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Roughly 2.3 Million people are exposed to Silica at work, some without ever knowing.
How to prevent inhalation of Silica:
- Written exposure control plan which will outline tasks that will expose you to Silica. Also, will outline work practices, PPE and Engineer controls related to prevention RCS. Should also outline housekeeping measures to prevent RCS dust.
- Spraying the worksite with water helps to prevent Silica dust from entering the air.
- Ventilation systems to help filter the air.
- Respiratory PPE.