OSHA has announced a proposed rule aimed at preventing lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America's workers. Currently OSHA enforces 40-year-old permissible exposure limits (PELs) for crystalline silica, for such industries as general industry, construction and shipyards that are outdated. Current rules are inconsistent between industries and offer little help in protecting a workers health. The proposed rule will bring protections into the 21st century. This is just a proposed rule and not a final rule.So what exactly is Crystalline Silica? Crystalline silica is the basic component of soil, sand, granite, and many other minerals. The most common form of crystalline silica is Quartz. Cristobalite and tridymite are two other forms of crystalline silica. All three forms can become respirable size particles as workers chip, cut, drill, or grind objects.
Silica exposure is a serious threat to nearly 2 million U.S. workers, with more than 100,000 workers in high risk jobs, consisting of abrasive blasting, foundry work, stonecutting, rock drilling, quarry work and tunneling. Crystalline silica is classified as a human lung carcinogen. Breathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis and can be disabling or fatal. The respirable silica dust enters the lungs and causes the formation of scar tissue, reducing the lungs ability to take in oxygen. Silicosis has no known cure. With Silicosis affecting lung function, it makes one more susceptible to lung infections like tuberculosis. In addition, smoking causes lung damage and adds to the damage caused by breathing silica dust.
With such actions as wearing only a N95 NIOSH certified respirator, providing proper ventilation and dust collection, use of available work practices to control dust exposures, and many other measures to prevent exposure to crystalline silica. OSHA estimates that the proposed rule would save nearly 700 lives per year and should prevent 1,600 new cases of silicosis annually.
You can visit the OSHA website, view the crystalline silica proposed rule, and learn more about dust collection methods and standards by clicking the links within.
