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🫁 Silica Exposure Prevention

Topic: Protecting yourself from crystalline silica dust Duration: 5-7 minutes Required: OSHA Silica Standard (29 CFR 1926.1153)

What is Crystalline Silica?​

Silica is found in:

  • Concrete and mortar
  • Brick and block
  • Stone (granite, sandstone)
  • Sand
  • Asphalt
  • Drywall compound

When these materials are cut, drilled, ground, or crushed, silica dust is released.

Health Effects​

Breathing silica dust causes:

Silicosis​

  • Irreversible lung scarring
  • Progressive, no cure
  • Can develop even after exposure stops

Lung Cancer​

  • Silica is a known carcinogen

Other Conditions​

  • COPD
  • Kidney disease
  • Autoimmune disorders

There is no safe level of silica exposure. Any exposure causes some damage.

High-Risk Tasks​

TaskRisk Level
Cutting concrete/masonryVery High
Grinding concreteVery High
Core drillingHigh
TuckpointingVery High
Sand blastingExtreme
JackhammeringHigh
Mixing/pouring concreteModerate
Sweeping concrete dustHigh

OSHA Silica Requirements​

Table 1 Tasks​

OSHA provides "Table 1" with specified controls. If you follow Table 1 exactly, you're compliant without air monitoring.

Examples from Table 1:

TaskRequired Controls
Handheld power sawContinuous water + respiratory protection
Walk-behind sawContinuous water
Handheld grinderVacuum + dust shroud + respiratory protection
JackhammerContinuous water + respiratory protection

Exposure Limits​

  • PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit): 50 µg/m³ (8-hour TWA)
  • Action Level: 25 µg/m³

Controls: The Hierarchy​

1. Elimination/Substitution​

  • Use materials with lower silica content when possible

2. Engineering Controls​

  • Wet methods: Water suppresses dust at the source
  • Vacuum/dust collection: Capture dust before it spreads
  • Enclosed cabs: Filtered air in heavy equipment

3. Administrative Controls​

  • Limit time in dusty areas
  • Rotate workers
  • Schedule dusty work when fewer people present

4. Respiratory Protection​

  • Required when engineering controls aren't enough
  • Minimum N95 for most tasks
  • Some tasks require higher protection (half-mask APR, PAPR)

Respiratory Protection​

Protection LevelWhen to Use
N95 filtering facepieceLow exposure, short duration
Half-mask APR (P100)Most Table 1 tasks
Full-face APR (P100)High dust + eye protection needed
PAPRExtended work, higher protection

Fit testing required for tight-fitting respirators. Medical clearance required before respirator use.

Good Practices​

Do:​

  • Use wet cutting whenever possible
  • Use vacuums with HEPA filters
  • Clean up with wet methods or HEPA vacuum
  • Wear proper respiratory protection
  • Remove contaminated clothing before leaving site

Don't:​

  • Dry sweep silica dust
  • Use compressed air to clean dusty clothes
  • Eat, drink, or smoke in dusty areas
  • Take contaminated clothes home

Signs You're Being Exposed​

  • Visible dust cloud during work
  • Dust coating surfaces nearby
  • Dust on clothes at end of day
  • Coughing during or after work

If you see dust, you're breathing it.

Discussion Questions​

  1. What silica-generating tasks are we doing today?
  2. Are we using wet methods or vacuum systems?
  3. Does everyone have proper respiratory protection?
  4. Have you been fit-tested for your respirator?

Today's Commitment​

"I will use dust controls, wear proper respiratory protection, and never dry sweep silica dust."

Sign-In​

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