Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program1 Silica Special Emphasis Program (SEP) u OSHA’s Industrial Hygiene initiative u Collaboration of OSHA Compliance and Consultation Programs

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program2 Why Target Crystalline Silica Exposure? u Widespread occurrence and use u Number of related deaths u Number of exposed workers u Health effects

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program3 Occurrence and Use u SiO 2 - basic component of sand, quartz & granite u Quartz - 2nd most common mineral in the earth’s crust u Airborne silica is produced by:

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program4 Industries u electronics u foundries u ceramics, clay, pottery, stone, and glass u construction u agriculture u maritime u railroad u slate and flint quarrying and crushing u use and manufacture of abrasives u mining

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program5 Occurrence and Use u 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 Program6 General Industry Targeting u Focused to particular establishments where overexposures to crystalline silica are most likely or known. u Records review –Silicosis diagnosis may include: vpneumoconiosis, fibrosis, respiratory disease, non- malignant respiratory disease, congenital heart failure

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program7 10 mg/m 3 % Quartz +2 Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) = ? mg/m 3 PEL for respirable dust containing a % silica.

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program8 Respiratory Protection u up to 0.25mg/m 3 u up to 0.50 mg/m 3 u up to 1.25 mg/m 3 u up to 2.5 mg/m 3 u up to 50 mg/m 3 Ô dust respirator Ô dust/mist,SAR, SCBA, no single use or quarter mask Ô PAPR, SAR Ô APR w/HEPA, tight- PAPR w/HEPA, full face SAR or SCBA Ô SAR pressure demand

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program9 Silicosis Prevention Program u Medical surveillance program –baseline examination vmedical and occupational history vprior 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 Source: OSHA SEP

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program10 Silicosis Prevention Program u Personal air monitoring program u Training and information on crystalline silica u Availability of air and medical surveillance data to workers u Respiratory protection program Source: OSHA SEP

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program11 Silicosis Prevention Program u Hygiene facilities and clothing change areas u Recordkeeping u Personal exposures below the PEL OR facility has an abatement program that provides interim worker protection u Housekeeping program u Regulated areas Source: OSHA SEP

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program12 Prevention of Silica Related Diseases u 250 Worker deaths per year u Silicosis u Silicosis/TB u Lung Cancer

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program13 Health Effects u 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 Program14 Health Effects u 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 Program15 Health Effects u 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 years) *

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program16 Common Hazard u Abrasive Blasting u Paint Removal u Renovation & Demolition u Road Repair

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program17 Exposure Controls Substitution u Coal slag (black beauty) u Steel grit u Aluminum oxide u Wild stuff (frozen co2, walnut shells, baking soda)

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program18 Exposure Controls Wet Methods u Water suppression of dust u Very effective method u May be less efficient u Requires supply of water and clean up

Georgia Tech Safety and Health Consultation Program19 Exposure Controls u Power tools with HEPA exhaust