OSHA’s New National OSHA’s New National Emphasis Program:Emphasis Program:

Crystalline SilicaCrystalline Silica

OSHA’s New National OSHA’s New National Emphasis Program:Emphasis Program:

Crystalline SilicaCrystalline Silica

Why Does OSHA Have a New Why Does OSHA Have a New National Emphasis Program?National Emphasis Program?

• Silica-related illnesses and fatalities continue to occur

• The NEP is a written compliance directive incorporating updated information and policies and procedures adopted since 1996

Why a New NEP? Why a New NEP? (cont’d)(cont’d)

• Expands 1996 SEP memorandum• Provides updated research results on silica exposure

hazards• Details inspection procedures, including follow-up

inspections where overexposure found• Addresses targeting of worksites and provides updated

NAICS codes for industries with worker exposure to crystalline silica

• Explains calculation of PELS in General Industry, Construction, and Maritime

• Establishes program evaluation procedures• Provides for Regional and Area Office outreach

programs

What Is Crystalline Silica?What Is Crystalline Silica?

• SiO2 –silicon dioxide

• Also known as “free silica”

• Significantly more hazardous than amorphous silica

• 3 mineralogical forms– Quartz—most common– Cristobalite– Tridymite

What Are the Health Effects of What Are the Health Effects of Crystalline Silica?Crystalline Silica?

• Silicosis (pulmonary fibrosis)– Chronic, accelerated, acute– A continuing problem

• Lung cancer• Tuberculosis• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder• Other

– Immunologic disorders and autoimmune diseases– Renal disease– Stomach and other cancers

What Are the Symptoms and What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Chronic Silicosis?Signs of Chronic Silicosis?

NOTE: There may be no symptoms in the early stages.

• As the disease progresses– Cough− Breathlessness− Weakness

• Significant X-ray changes after 15-20 years of exposure

Symptoms of Related Illnesses Symptoms of Related Illnesses (such as Tuberculosis)(such as Tuberculosis)

Fever

• Weight loss

• Night sweats

• Chest pains

• Respiratory failure

These symptoms can become worse over time, leading to death.

Where Are There Workplace Where Are There Workplace Exposures to Crystalline Silica?Exposures to Crystalline Silica?

• Solid dust particles generated from silica-containing materials by– Handling– Grinding– Blasting– Drilling– Crushing

• High historical exposures– Sandblasting– Mining (regulated by MSHA)

– Tunneling– Granite cutting– Sand-casting foundry operations

Crystalline Silica ExposuresCrystalline Silica Exposures

How Will Employees Know They How Will Employees Know They May Exposed? May Exposed?

• Identify factors that indicate probable use of silica

• Check product labels

• Check the Material Safety Data Sheets

•Abrasives •Coal Dust •Concrete •Dirt •Filter Aids •Graphite, natural •Mica •Mineral Products •Paints •Pavement •Perlite •Plant Materials •Plastic Fillers •Polishing Compounds •Portland Cement •Sands •Silicates •Slag •Soapstone •Soil

•Brickmason/stonemason •Construction laborer •Crane and tower operator •Crushing and grinding machine operator •Furnace, kiln, non-food oven operator •Grinding, abrading, buffing, and polishing machine operator •Hand molder/shaper (not jeweler) •Heavy-equipment mechanic •Janitor or cleaner •Machinist •Metals/plastics machine operator •Molding and casting machine operator •Mining machine operator •Miscellaneous material moving equipment operator •Millwright •Operating engineer •Painter who sandblasts (High Risk) •Production supervisor •Rock driller (High Risk) •Roof bolter (High Risk) •Sandblaster (High Risk) •Steelworker •Welder/cutter

See how the chance of death is increased according to occupation

•Abrasive blasting •Asphalt pavement manufacturing •Blast furnaces •Cement manufacturing •Ceramics, clay, and pottery •Concrete mixing •Concrete tunneling •Construction (mainly cement, concrete work) •Demolition •Electronics industry •Foundry industry: grinding, molding, shakeout, core room (High Risk) •Hand molding, casting, and forming •Jack hammer operations •Manufacturing abrasives, paints, soaps, and glass •Mining •Repair or replacement of linings of rotary kilns and cupola furnaces •Rolling and finishing mills •Sandblasting (High Risk) •Setting, laying, and repairing railroad track •Steelwork •Stone, brick, and concrete block cutting, blasting, chipping, grinding, and sawing •Tunneling operations

MaterialsAre any of these

involved?

OccupationsAre you one of these?

IndustryDo you work in any

of these? 

           

                       

If you can answer YES to any of these, then it is likely that Silica is used at your work and that it

is airborne.

            

                 

Probable Use of Silica

Identify factors that indicate probable use of crystalline silica

Source: OSHA’s Silica eTool

Check to see whether you (a) Work in an industry in the left column;(b) Are in an occupation in the middle column; or(c) Work with materials listed in the right column

And One You May Not Usually And One You May Not Usually Think of—Dental Laboratories!Think of—Dental Laboratories!

Source: What Dental Technicians Need to Know About Silicosis. NJDHSS.

LabelsLabels

• A product that contains ≥ 0.1% crystalline silica (by weight or volume) must say so• The machines used in the operations may also

have warning signs indicating that silica is being used

• Manufacturer’s responsibility: attach a label to all products that contain ≥ 0.1% crystalline silica

• Employer’s responsibility: ensure that the label is not removed or defaced

Material Safety Data Sheets Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)(MSDS)

• Contain data for materials or products containing hazardous chemicals

• If a material or product contains ≥ 0.1% crystalline silica, there must be a MSDS

• Manufacturers and importers: obtain or develop a MSDS for each hazardous chemical they produce or import

• Employers: ensure access to MSDSs for all hazardous chemicals at the workplace

The National Emphasis ProgramThe National Emphasis Program

• Applies to General Industryand Construction worksites

• Goals– Eliminate employee overexposure– Control health hazards associated

with overexposure• Features

– OSHA procedures for inspections– 2 percent of inspections – Mandatory follow-up inspections if possible where

overexposures occurred

What Will OSHA Check for on an What Will OSHA Check for on an Inspection?Inspection?

Employee exposure monitoring, including collection of bulk samples

Engineering and work practice controls

Respiratory protectionHazard communication

What is the OSHA PEL for What is the OSHA PEL for General Industry?General Industry?

• Quartz (respirable dust):

10 mg/m3

% respirable quartz + 2

• Cristobalite and Tridymite: use ½ of the value calculated from the formula for quartz

What is the OSHA PEL for What is the OSHA PEL for Construction?Construction?

• Quartz (respirable dust):

250 mppcf

% silica + 5

• OSHA-adopted conversion factor:

1 mppcf = 0.1 mg/m3 respirable dust

Crystalline Silica PELs: Crystalline Silica PELs: “Bottom Line” Message“Bottom Line” Message

• Whether you work in General Industry or in Construction: The more crystalline silica there is in the dust, the less of the dust you should breath

What Will OSHA Check for on an What Will OSHA Check for on an Inspection? Inspection? (cont’d)(cont’d)

Symptoms of silicosis in workplace

Housekeeping and hygiene

Employee exposure and medical records

Abrasive blasting

Scope of InspectionScope of Inspection

Inspection may be expanded

beyond silica-related

activities if other

hazards or violations

are observed.

Follow-up and EvaluationFollow-up and Evaluation

• Mandatory follow-up inspections where citations for overexposure are issued

• If follow-up not possible (operation concluded), written documentation of abatement efforts from employers

Follow-up and Evaluation Follow-up and Evaluation (cont’d)(cont’d)

• Where exposures cannot be reduced below the PEL − engineering and administrative

controls must be used to reduce exposures as low as possible

− respiratory protection must be used to supplement other controls

• Abatement verification data used by Office of Statistics

What Are Some Possible Ways What Are Some Possible Ways to Reduce Exposure?to Reduce Exposure?

• Substitute materials that have no crystalline silica

• Locate employees as far as possible from dust-generation source

• Isolate employees OR the source– Control rooms– Enclosures– Barriers

Moving Employees Farther from Moving Employees Farther from Point of ExposurePoint of Exposure

Source: NIOSH Publication No. 1999-113: Control of Drywall Sanding Dust Exposures

What Are Some Possible Ways What Are Some Possible Ways to Reduce Exposure? to Reduce Exposure? (cont’d)(cont’d)

• Use local exhaust ventilation (LEV systems)

• Use tools with dust-collecting systems

Example of a Combination of Example of a Combination of ControlsControls

Source: What Dental Technicians Need to Know About Silicosis. NJDHSS.

What Are Some Possible Ways What Are Some Possible Ways to Reduce Exposure? to Reduce Exposure? (cont’d)(cont’d)

• Use wet methods– Cutting

– Chipping

– Drilling

– Sawing

– Grinding

• Clean surfaces with HEPA vacuums or wet sweeping—no compressed air!

Controls—Wet MethodsControls—Wet Methods

Source: Dry Cutting and Grinding is RISKY BUSINESS. NJDHSS.

What Are Some Possible Ways What Are Some Possible Ways to Reduce Exposure? to Reduce Exposure? (cont’d)(cont’d)

• And if other methods are not sufficient—

Use Proper Respiratory Protection

Respiratory ProtectionRespiratory Protection

Source: NIOSH Publication No. 2004-108: Silicosis: Learn the Facts!

Example of a Combination of Example of a Combination of ControlsControls

Source: NIOSH Publication No. 2002-105: Silicosis in Sandblasters: A Case Study for Use in U.S. High Schools

What Can Workers Do to Protect What Can Workers Do to Protect Themselves and Their Families?Themselves and Their Families?

Become informed Reduce their exposure to dust Use respirators when needed Participate in medical screening Practice good personal hygiene at the

workplace

It is the employer’s responsibility to provide a safeworkplace

It is your responsibility to use any controlsprovided

Source: CPWR.

What Information Does OSHA What Information Does OSHA Have on the Internet?Have on the Internet?

• NEP for crystalline silica:– Go to www.osha.gov– Select Directives– Select 2008– Look under January (1/24/08)

• Other information on crystalline silica:– Go to www.osha.gov– Select “S” from the alphabetical topic index– Select “Silica, Crystalline”

Other Internet InformationOther Internet Information

• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) website:– www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/silica

Questions?Questions?

Audience Suggestions?Audience Suggestions?

Control methods for crystalline silica on your job or in your workplace?

Suggestions for “getting the word out”?

Other groups that might be interested in reducing exposure to crystalline silica?