1. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. BLR's Safety Training Presentations Silicosis Prevention

2. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Silicosis Kills It is disabling, nonreversible, and sometimes fatal 250 American workers die each year 1 million workers are exposed to silica 100,000 have a high risk of silicosis

3. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Goals How crystalline silica contributes to silicosis Prevention measures Quiz

4. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. What is Silicosis? Silicosis is a lung disease Caused by breathing dust containing silica Lungs become scarred and stiffened Breathing becomes difficult Risk of heart disease and tuberculosis is increased

5. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Types of Silica Crystalline silica, or free silica —Quartz, tridymite, cristobalite —Abundant in the earth’s crust Amorphous silica —Not in the form of a crystal —Does not cause silicosis

6. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Normal Dust Particles are generated by work processes Any airborne dust can be a hazard Nonvisible particles go deep into lungs Large particles are removed by mucous Pneumoconiosis may occur in dusty conditions

7. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Workers Unaware of the Hazard Chemically inert Crystalline silica mislabeled as amorphous silica Not labeled at all Naturally occurring

8. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. At-risk Industries for Silicosis Mining through sandstone and granite Construction—sandblasting, jack hammering, tunneling Stone cutting Foundry work— molding, shakeout Portland cement production

9. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. At-risk Industries for Silicosis (cont.) Glass manufacturing Ceramics, clay, and pottery Abrasive cleaning or sand blasting Manufacturing paints, plastics, soaps, and abrasives Electronics industry Filtration of food and beverages

10. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Silica Exposure Acute exposure Chronic exposure Concentration, duration, and particle size Report symptoms immediately No cure

11. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Chronic Silicosis 20 to 45 years to develop Exposure to dust with 10 percent silica No symptoms for 20 years Shortness of breath, cough, fever Bluish lips or ear lobes Loss of appetite, chest pain Ability to breathe destroyed

12. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Accelerated Silicosis Results from shorter exposure at higher concentration Develops within 5 to 15 years Detectable by X-ray after one exposure Progresses even after removal from exposure Leads to massive fibrosis and death

13. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Acute Silicosis Develops after one to three years Overwhelming concentration of silica Symptoms after only seven months Cough, weight loss, fatigue Liquid in alveoli Fatal within two years

14. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Goals How crystalline silica contribute to silicosis Prevention measures Quiz

15. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Precautions and Prevention Severity of silicosis related to amount of dust in lungs Limit the amount of dust workers breathe Implement engineering controls Follow safe work practices Use respiratory protection

16. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Silica Control Program Inspect work area Review MSDS Monitor worker exposure levels Substitute other materials

17. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Sampling and Monitoring Sampling program Full-shift respirable dust samples Personal samples Area samples Gravimetric dust collection

18. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Engineering Controls Use ventilation and dust control systems Isolate silica dust work processes Suppress dust with moisture

19. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Ventilation General ventilation systems Local exhaust ventilation Inspection every three months Inspection when process changes Industrial hygiene surveys

20. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Safe Work Practices Store silica in sealed containers Break caked silica loose by vibrating outside of closed container Follow confined space entry procedures Don’t let dust accumulate Vacuum dust Do not blow with compressed air

21. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Personal Hygiene Change into disposable or washable work clothes Vacuum work clothes Take a shower Put on clean street clothes Wash hands before eating, drinking, smoking

22. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Respiratory Controls Wear a respirator: —When dust exposure exceeds standard —Engineering controls not effective —Emergencies Respirator failure exposes worker Use air-purifying respirator <10 times PEL Use air-supplied respirator >10 times PEL

23. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. First Aid No first aid for inhalation of silica Get fresh air Wash eyes See a doctor

24. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Medical Surveillance Exposure above the PEL Physical exam including: —Chest X-ray —Pulmonary function —Evaluation for tuberculosis Frequency determined by doctor Symptoms found early

25. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Goals How crystalline silica contribute to silicosis Prevention measures Quiz

26. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Summary Know which work exposes you to silica Use engineering controls Follow good work practices Practice good personal hygiene Wear respirators Stop smoking

27. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz 1.Name a type of soil in which silica is very common. 2.What does silica dust do to the lungs? 3.What type of construction work is at risk for silicosis? 4.How long can it take symptoms of chronic silicosis to appear? 5.What is one of the first symptoms of silicosis?

28. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz (cont.) 6.Name a type of engineering control used to prevent silica exposure. 7.What type of ventilation is more effective — general or local? 8.What is the cure for silicosis? 9.What does the medical surveillance program include? 10.Describe some good personal hygiene practices.

29. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz Answers 1.Sandstone, granite 2.Causes fibrosis, or stiffening and hardening of the lungs 3.Sandblasting, jack hammering, rock drilling, concrete mixing, concrete cutting, etc. 4.Up to 20 years 5.Difficulty breathing

30. 11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz Answers (cont.) 6.Ventilation, isolation of silica processes, suppressing dust with moisture 7.Local ventilation 8.There is none 9.Physical exam, chest X-ray, pulmonary function, tuberculosis exam 10.Separate work and street clothes, vacuum work clothes, shower, wash before eating