21
Silica
Silica
PPT-SM-S 2017
Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in the earth’s crust. Concrete, mortar, sand, and stone are some materials that contain crystalline silica.
It is also used to make products, such as bricks, ceramics, glass, pottery, and artificial stone.
2
PPT-SM-S 2017 3
Around 2.3 million workers are exposed to crystalline silica on the job. The hazard for workers exists when specific tasks create respirable dust that is released into the air.
PPT-SM-S 2017 4
Very small particles of crystalline silica are known as respirable crystalline silica dust, or simply silica dust.
Silica dust is around 100 times smaller than the sand you find on the beach.
PPT-SM-S 2017 5
Silica dust is created by high-energy operations, including cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing materials that contain crystalline silica.
PPT-SM-S 2017 6
Activities that create silica dust include:Abrasive blasting with sandSawing brick or concreteSanding or drilling into concrete wallsGrinding mortarManufacturing brick, concrete blocks, or
ceramic productsCutting or crushing stone
PPT-SM-S 2017
Workers can also be exposed to silica dust during operations that use industrial sand, including foundry work and hydraulic fracturing.
7
Credit: NIOSH
Credit: NIOSH
PPT-SM-S 2017
When a worker inhales silica dust, they increase their risk of developing serious silica-related illnesses. These illnesses include:SilicosisLung cancerChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)Kidney disease
8
PPT-SM-S 2017
Silicosis is a disease that happens when silica dust enters your lungs and causes scar tissue to form. This makes it difficult for your lungs to take in oxygen. There is no cure for silicosis.
9
PPT-SM-S 2017 10
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Respirable Crystalline Silica standard forgeneral industry and maritime requires companies to limit worker exposure to silica dust.
PPT-SM-S 2017
Companies are required to assess worker exposure to silica dust if it may be at or above an action of level of 25 µg/m3 (micrograms of silica per cubic meter of air), averaged over an 8-hour day.
11
PPT-SM-S 2017
Companies must protect workers from silica dust exposure above the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3, averaged over an 8-hour workday.
12
PPT-SM-S 2017
Companies must use engineering controls and work practices as the main way to keep worker exposure at or below the PEL. Examples include:Using wet methods for cutting and sawing crystalline
silica-containing materialsUsing local exhaust ventilation to keep dust that
contains silica out of the airLimiting workers’ access to areas where they could
be exposed above the PELUsing housekeeping methods that do not create
airborne dust where possible
13
PPT-SM-S 2017 14
Respirators must be provided to workers when engineering and work practices cannot keep silica dust at or below the PEL.
PPT-SM-S 2017 15
Companies must also:Create and use a written exposure
control plan that identifies tasks that involve exposure and how workers will be protectedTrain workers on work operations that
can result in silica dust exposure and ways to limit their exposure
PPT-SM-S 2017
For workers exposed at or above the action level for 30 days or more per year, companies must offer medical exams every 3 years, including chest X-rays and lung function tests.
Companies must also keep records of exposure measurements, objective data, and medical exams.
16
PPT-SM-S 2017 17
Respirable crystalline silica is a serious health hazard to workers. Workers exposed to silica dust are at an increased risk of developing serious silica-related illnesses.
Companies must use engineering controls and work practices to protect workers from silica dust exposure at or above the PEL.
Copyright © 2016 by PEC/Premier Safety Operations, LLC
Safe
ty M
eetin
g Quiz
: Silic
aSign and date this quiz sheet. Circle the letter representing the correct answer to each quiz question below.
Name:©
201
7 PE
C S
afet
y, In
c.
QUIZ-SM-SILICADEC 2017
Date:
1. ______________ is a common mineral found in the earth’s crust.
A. Hydrogen sulfideB. Crystalline silicaC. AsbestosD. Lead
2. ______________ is created by high-energy operations, including cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing materials that contain crystalline silica.
A. AsbestosB. Hydrogen sulfideC. Silica dustD. Diesel exhaust
3. Silica dust is around _______________ times smaller than the sand you find on the beach.
A. 50B. 100C. 150D. 200
4. When a worker inhales silica dust, they increase their risk of developing serious silica-related illnesses like silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease, and _______________.
A. Hepatitis BB. ArthritisC. Heart diseaseD. Lung disease
5. _______________ is a disease that happens when silica dust enters your lungs and causes scar tissue to form.
A. AsbestosisB. SilicosisC. DiabetesD. Hepatitis B
6. The ________________ Respirable Crystalline Silica standard for general industry and maritime requires companies to limit worker exposure to silica dust.
A. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
B. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
C. American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
D. American Petroleum Institute (API)
7. Companies are required to assess worker exposure to silica dust if it may be at or above an action level of ________________ µg/m3, averaged over an 8-hour day.
A. 10B. 15C. 20D. 25
8. Companies must protect workers from silica dust exposure above the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of ________________ µg/m3, averaged over an 8-hour day.
A. 50B. 60C. 70D. 80
9. ________________ must be provided to workers when engineering controls and work practices cannot keep silica dust at or below the permissible exposure limit (PEL).
A. Fall protectionB. RespiratorsC. Ear muffsD. Gloves
10. For workers exposed at or above the action level for 30 days or more per year, companies must offer medical exams every ________________.
A. YearB. 2 yearsC. 3 yearsD. 4 years
Fire S
afety
Safety Meeting Answer Keys: Silica Instructors: The following key shows the answers for the Silica safety meeting quiz.
© 2017 PEC
Safety, Inc.
KEY-SM-SILICADEC 2017
1. B
2. C
3. B
4. D
5. B
6. A
7. D
8. A
9. B
10. C
STUDENT ROSTER
PRINT STUDENT NAME (CLEARLY) STUDENT SIGNATURE LAST 4 SSN or DOB1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
INSTRUCTOR NAME SAFETY MEETING DATE
SAFETY MEETING NAME COMPANY NAME
Student Instructions: Print and sign your name. Also, provide your date of birth or the last four digits of your social security number.
©2014 PEC Safety, Inc. All rights reserved.
