Silica Special Emphasis Program(SEP) 12/8/2018 OSHA’s Industrial Hygiene initiative Collaboration of OSHA Compliance and Consultation Programs Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Why Target Crystalline Silica Exposure? 12/8/2018 Widespread occurrence and use Number of related deaths Number of exposed workers Health effects Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program 12/8/2018 Occurrence and Use SiO2 - basic component of sand, quartz & granite Quartz - 2nd most common mineral in the earth’s crust Airborne silica is produced by: Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program 12/8/2018 Industries electronics foundries ceramics, clay, pottery, stone, and glass construction agriculture maritime railroad slate and flint quarrying and crushing use and manufacture of abrasives mining Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program 12/8/2018 Occurrence and Use Airborne silica is produced by: sandblasting rock drilling foundry work stone cutting drilling quarrying tunneling jack hammering concrete manufacturing demolition asphalt pavement manufacturing Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

General Industry Targeting 12/8/2018 General Industry Targeting Focused to particular establishments where overexposures to crystalline silica are most likely or known. Records review Silicosis diagnosis may include: pneumoconiosis, fibrosis, respiratory disease, non- malignant respiratory disease, congenital heart failure Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) 12/8/2018 10 mg/m3 % Quartz +2 = ? mg/m3 PEL for respirable dust containing a % silica. Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Respiratory Protection 12/8/2018 Respiratory Protection up to 0.25mg/m3 up to 0.50 mg/m3 up to 1.25 mg/m3 up to 2.5 mg/m3 up to 50 mg/m3 dust respirator dust/mist,SAR, SCBA, no single use or quarter mask PAPR, SAR APR w/HEPA, tight- PAPR w/HEPA, full face SAR or SCBA SAR pressure demand Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Silicosis Prevention Program 12/8/2018 Silicosis Prevention Program Medical surveillance program baseline examination medical and occupational history prior to exposure every 5 years if < 20 years of exposure every 2 years if > 20 years of exposure baseline chest x-ray pulmonary function tests (PFT) x-ray upon termination of employment Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program Source: OSHA SEP

Silicosis Prevention Program 12/8/2018 Silicosis Prevention Program Personal air monitoring program Training and information on crystalline silica Availability of air and medical surveillance data to workers Respiratory protection program Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program Source: OSHA SEP

Silicosis Prevention Program 12/8/2018 Silicosis Prevention Program Hygiene facilities and clothing change areas Recordkeeping Personal exposures below the PEL OR facility has an abatement program that provides interim worker protection Housekeeping program Regulated areas Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program Source: OSHA SEP

Prevention of Silica Related Diseases 12/8/2018 250 Worker deaths per year Silicosis Silicosis/TB Lung Cancer Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program 12/8/2018 Health Effects Acute - intense crystalline silica exposure acute silicosis (silico-proteinosis) inflammation in the gas exchange area of the lung fibrosis Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program 12/8/2018 Health Effects Accelerated - more intense exposure over 5 to 15 years silicosis smaller fibrotic nodules massive fibrosis in the mid-zones of the lungs shortness of breath fever bluish skin at ear lobes or lips Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program 12/8/2018 Health Effects Chronic - 20 to 45 years prolonged exposure to crystalline silica silicosis nodular lesions in upper lobes shortness of breath with exertion cough and expectoration fatigue loss of appetite chest pain (airway obstruction) * x-ray (after 15-20 years) * Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program 12/8/2018 Common Hazard Abrasive Blasting Paint Removal Renovation & Demolition Road Repair Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Exposure Controls Substitution 12/8/2018 Exposure Controls Substitution Coal slag (black beauty) Steel grit Aluminum oxide Wild stuff (frozen co2, walnut shells, baking soda) Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Exposure Controls Wet Methods 12/8/2018 Water suppression of dust Very effective method May be less efficient Requires supply of water and clean up Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program Exposure Controls 12/8/2018 Power tools with HEPA exhaust Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program