Health Hazards in Highway Construction Kimberley J. Nipko, MPH Safety & Health Compliance Officer OSHA--Madison, WI ext.123

Topics  Silica  Noise  Lead  Asphalt  Heat Stress

HISTORY OF SILICOSIS  Ancient Greece  1870 term first used  Hawk’s Nest Dam

 Amorphous –Crystalline –NOT Crystalline –Beach Sand  Crystalline –Heat and/or pressure converts amorphous –Dangerous to the human body –Found in construction materials (e.g. brick, rock, concrete, masonry block, etc.) TYPES OF SILICA

CRYSTALLINE SILICA  3 Types  Where is it found? Naturally Occurring Crystalline Mineral in Earth’s Crust quartz tridymite cristobalite

 Silicosis  Bronchitis  Tuberculosis  Association with Lung Cancer –IARC Classification April 1997 –Class 1: Carcinogenic to Humans HEALTH EFFECTS

LUNG DEPOSITION Naso-Pharyngeal Tracheo-Bronchial Alveolar

Mucous Cilia LUNG DEFENSES Muco-Ciliary Escalator

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM ALVEOLI

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM NODULES

 Chronic –10 or More Years of Exposure –Low Exposure Concentrations  Accelerated –5 to 10 Years After Exposure –High Exposure Concentrations  Acute –A Few Weeks to 4 or 5 Years After Exposure –Highest Exposure Concentrations SILICOSIS

SYMPTOMS  Difficulty in Breathing  Cough  Infections Causing –Fever –Weight Loss –Night Sweats

 Particle Size  Percentage of Free Silica  Length of Exposure  Individual Susceptibility  Cigarette Smoking  Dose-Response Relationship CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

CIGARETTES Synergistic Effect

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY  Approximately 4.9 million actively working construction workers  700,000 potentially exposed to silica  Approximately deaths each year from silicosis  Silicosis is 100 percent preventable

 Chipping, Hammering, Drilling of Rock  Crushing, Loading, Hauling, and Dumping of Rock  Abrasive Blasting With Silica Sand  Abrasive Blasting of Concrete CONSTRUCTION JOBS AT RISK

Local Silica Inspection Scheduling  Mostly OSHA “drive-by”observations  A few telephone or written complaints

Jackhammer (Dry) Example  7.6% silica  1 mg/m3 PEL  0.9 mg/M3 (454 mins)  0.85 mg/M3 8 hour TWA  8 hour severity 85% of PEL  VERY CLOSE TO PEL  Jackhammering on bridge over I-88, DeKalb, IL  Adjacent jackhammer and sweeping may increase exposure

Jackhammer (Wet) Example  10% silica  0.83 mg/m3 PEL  1.8 mg/M3 (370 min)  1.4 mg/M3 8 hr TWA  8 hour severity 165% of PEL  EXCEEDED PEL  Inside Chicago building, employee at left sprayed with hose  2nd sample 110% of PEL

Concrete Cutting (Dry) Example  12% silica  0.7 mg/M3 PEL  16.3 mg/M3 (39 min)  0.75 mg/M3 8 hr TWA  8 hour severity 105% of PEL  EXCEEDED PEL  Gas saw dry cuts hole in concrete sewer  2300% of PEL for 39 minute sample time

Concrete Cutting (Wet) Example  9.4% silica  0.9 mg/M3 PEL  0.4 mg/M3 (340 min)  0.3 mg/M3 8 hr TWA  8 hour severity 37% of PEL  DID NOT EXCEED PEL  Wet saw  2nd sample 45% of PEL

Concrete Cutting Summary Wet Cutting  Nine air samples  All were wet sawing concrete slabs  % of PEL  WET SAMPLES ALL BELOW PEL  USE WET SAW Dry Cutting  Eight air samples  Four > PEL  Highest was 345% of PEL  DO NOT DRY CUT

Lateral Drilling Example  7.5% silica  1.1 mg/M3 PEL  3.1 mg/M3 (420 min)  2.7 mg/M3 8 hr TWA  8 hour severity 257% of PEL  EXCEEDED PEL  Lateral drilling multiple holes in pavement for reinforcing bars

Lateral Drilling Summary  Nine air samples  Four samples > PEL  101%, 104%, 251%, 257% of PEL  GOOD CHANCE OF EXCEEDING PEL  Half mask adequate in these samples  Controls: water not used, can it be used?

Vermeer Saw  Used to cut large sections of pavement out of highway  reduces need to jackhammer /clean up debris

Vermeer Saw Example  5.5% silica  1.3 mg/m3 PEL  9.6 mg/M3 (80 min)  1.6 mg/M3 8 hr TWA  8 hour severity 120% of PEL  PEL EXCEEDED  Some water is sprayed from side mount tanks

Shoveling Concrete Summary  Four samples  No overexposures  4%, 8%, 25%, 60% of PEL  PEL NOT EXCEEDED  Adjacent operations may increase dust exposure (60% seems high for shoveling)

Heavy Construction Silica Dust Summary Operation#Likely ExpLikely RespNoise  Jackhammer dry19> PELhalf mask  Jackhammer wet5>PELhalf mask  Concrete saw dry8> PELhalf mask  Concrete saw wet9< PEL--  Lateral drill9> PELhalf mask  Vermeer saw3? > PEL ?96  Bobcat concrete2< PEL--  Shovel concrete4< PEL # - number of samples taken Determinations are based on limited numbers of samples and represent available info as of 3/2000.

Sandblasting Example  3.8% silica  1.7 mg/M3 PEL  18 mg/M3 (385 min)  14 mg/M3 8 hr TWA  8 hour severity 812% of PEL  GREATLY EXCEEDED PEL  Sandblasting rebar in highway  Supplied Air Respirator used

Abrasive Blasting Concrete  4% silica  1.7 mg/M3 PEL  2.7 mg/M3 (340 min)  1.9 mg/M3 8 hr TWA  8 hour severity 116% of PEL  EXCEEDED PEL  Black Beauty used to blast newly cut grooves in roadway

Crossover/Special Operations Silica Dust Summary Operation#Likely ExpLikely RespNoise  Sandblaster7>> PELblast resp  Sandblast potman1> PELhalf mask91  Abrasive blaster7> PELblast resp  Abrasive potman5< PEL--  Sweep5can > PELhalf mask  Ceiling seam grind1> PEL half mask  Grind floor w/ vent1> PELhalf mask  Tunnel (no silica)4< PEL-- # - number of samples taken Determinations are based on limited numbers of samples and represent available info as of 3/2000.

Citation Summary 1.Overexposure/engineering controls 2. Correct respirator/resp. program 3. Silica hazard training 4. Hearing conservation program/protection 5. Silica safety program 6. Lead exposure (tuckpointing, blasting)

CURRENT EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA (PEL) NIOSH (REL)ACGIH (TLV) 250 mppcf %silica mg/m 3 % silica + 2 or 0.05 mg/m 3 Quartz:0.05 mg/m 3 Cristobalite:0.05 mg/m 3 Tridymite:0.05 mg/m 3

RECOMMENDED EXPOSURE LEVEL (REL) REL = O.O5 mg/m 3 3/4 TEASPOON OF SILICA IN THE VOLUME OF A FOOTBALL FIELD (64,000 yds 3 ) is mg/m 3

AIR SAMPLING EQUIPMENT Personal Air Pump with Cyclone

PERSONAL SAMPLING

PREVENTION METHODS  Engineering Controls  Work Practice Controls  Personal Protective Equipment

ENGINEERING CONTROLS SUBSTITUTION VENTILATION WET WORK HOUSEKEEPING ISOLATIONISOLATION DUST CONTROL

WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS  Restricted Work Areas  Worker Placement  Medical Surveillance  Hygiene Practices  Training

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE  Physical  Spirometry (PFT)  Chest X-Rays –“B” Reader –Frequency

HYGIENE PRACTICES

TRAINING

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM  Medical Evaluation  Fit Test Procedures  Training  Storage and Cleaning  Hazard Assessment  Written Program

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM Employer Responsibility  Determination of Wearer’s Exposure to Hazards  Fit Testing Before Use  Random Inspection  Training  Medical Surveillance

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM Employee Responsibility  Fit check the respirator  Proper use of respirator  Guard against respirator damage  Report respirator malfunctions

TYPES OF RESPIRATORS Half Mask Air Purifying Respirator APF=10

TYPES OF RESPIRATORS Full Face Air Purifying Respirator APF= 50

TYPES OF RESPIRATORS Full Face Powered Air Purifying Respirator APF=50

TYPES OF RESPIRATORS Abrasive Blasting Type CE Positive Pressure Blast Hood APF= ,000

 Memorandum to Regional Offices May 2, 1996  Currently being enforced across the United States OSHA’S SPECIAL EMPHASIS PROGRAM (SEP)

 There is No Silica Standard  If Contractor is Making Effort, No Inspection  If Not, Inspection and Can Fine for PEL Violation or Respiratory Protection

Elements of an Effective, On-going Control Program for Crystalline Silica  Personal air monitoring  Medical surveillance  Training  Availability of monitoring/surveillance data to workers  Respiratory protection program  Hygiene facilities/clothing change areas

Elements of a Control Program (cont’d)  Recordkeeping  Exposures below PEL or abatement program with interim protection  Housekeeping  In construction: a Safety & Health program  Regulated areas

Conclusions  Dry operations: High likelihood of silica dust overexposure  Wet operations: Low potential for silica dust overexposure  Exposures may be multiplied by factors such as interior workplace and corner location.

Lead Exposure in Roadway Construction  Torch cutting on bridge structures that are finished with lead containing paint  Scraping or abrasive blasting to remove lead paint on bridges

Chronic Health Hazards  Anemia ug/dl  Neurological ug/dl  Slowed nerve ug/dl conduction in peripheral nerves  Blood pressure increases  Kidney damage100ug/dl  Colic60ug/dl Acute Health Hazards

Reproductive Hazards  Acute and chronic –Depressed sperm count in males and spontaneous abortion in women ug/dl –Effects on a fetus ug/dl (Maternal) Low birth weightLow birth weight Premature birthPremature birth Impaired mental developmentImpaired mental development

Compliance Program  Prior to the start of each job  Compliance plan shall include: – –Description of each activity Equipment used, material involved, controls in place, crew size, employee job – –Specific means to achieve compliance Engineering controls – –Technology considered in meeting the PEL – –Air monitoring which documents the source of lead emissions – –Schedule for implementation Copies of purchase orders for equipment, construction contracts – –Work practice program PPE, hygiene facilities, housekeeping – –Administrative control schedule Job Rotation – –Multi-contractor sites

Compliance Program  Frequent and regular inspection of the job site, materials, and equipment by a competent person  Shall be revised and updated every 6 months to reflect the current status of the program

Training  Annual training for each employee subject to lead exposure at or above the AL on any day  Training content –Content of the standard –Nature of operations –Respirators –Medical surveillance program –Engineering controls –Compliance plan –Chelating agents –Access to records

Noise/ Hearing Conservation Program (HCP)  Effective HCP under –Monitoring of employee noise exposures. –The institution of engineering, work practice, and administrative controls for excessive noise. –The provision of each overexposed employee with an individually fitted hearing protector with an adequate noise reduction rating. –Employee training and education regarding noise hazards and protection measures.

Issuing Noise Citations  Issuing citations – (a) - Overexposure – (b) - Feasible administrative and engineering controls – (a) - PPE (ear protective devices) – (d)(1) - Hearing conservation program

Occupational Exposure to Asphalt  Paving asphalts, roofing asphalts, asphalt-based paints –Performance specifications-not chemical composition-direct the type of asphalt produced.  Acute toxic effects of asphalt fume exposures include eye, nose and throat irritation

Occupational Exposure to Asphalt  Insufficient evidence for an association between lung cancer & exposure to asphalt fumes during paving. –Low concentrations of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) at low temperatures. Temperature of hot-mix asphalt (asphalt cement + mineral aggregate) as applied to the roadway is generally between 235 and 325  F.Temperature of hot-mix asphalt (asphalt cement + mineral aggregate) as applied to the roadway is generally between 235 and 325  F. –Confounding variables Smoking, silica, diesel exhaustSmoking, silica, diesel exhaust

Occupational Exposure to Asphalt  Recommended guidelines to reduce exposure: –Prevent dermal exposure –Keep application temperature of heated asphalt as low as possible. –Use engineering and work practice controls and personal protective equipment at all work sites.  CDC-NIOSH December 2000 Hazard Review ( NIOSH) to receive a copy.

Heat Stress  Too much heat can make you tired, hurt your job performance, and increase your chance of injury. You can get skin rash. You can also get: – –Dehydration- When your body loses water, you can't cool off fast enough. You feel thirsty and weak. – –Cramps- You can get muscle cramps from the heat even after you leave work. – –Heat exhaustion- You feel tired, nauseous, headachy, and giddy (dizzy and silly). Your skin is damp and looks muddy or flushed. You may faint. – –Heat stroke- You may have hot dry skin and a high temperature, or you may feel confused. You may have convulsions or become unconscious. Heat stroke can kill you unless you get emergency medical help.

Heat Stress  Drink a lot of cool water all day— before you feel thirsty. Every 15 minutes, you may need a cup of water (5 to 7 ounces).  Keep taking rest breaks. Rest in a cool, shady spot. Use fans.  Wear light-colored clothing, made of cotton.  Do the heaviest work in the coolest time of the day.  Work in the shade.  For heavy work in hot areas, take turns with other workers, so some can rest.

Heat Stress  If you travel to a warm area for a new job, you need time for your body to get used to the heat. Be extra careful the first 2 weeks on the job.  If you work in protective clothing, you need more rest breaks. You may also need to check your temperature and heart rate.  If you think someone has heat stroke, CALL emergency services (or 911). And move your co- worker to the shade, wipe his/her skin with cool water, and loosen his/her clothes. Use a piece of cardboard or other material to fan your co-worker.

QUESTIONS