29 CFR 1910.132-138, the "Personal Protection Equipment" standard. & 20 CFR 1910.134 Subpart I - Personal Protective Equipment 29CFR 1926.21- Safety Training & Education 29CFR 1926.20(a)-Unsafe Working Conditions Silicosis Prevention Program Preparation 1. Read Applicable Background information and related Company Policy Chapter. 2. Make Copies of this Lesson Plan for Personnel 3. Make Transparency, procure transparency pens, etc. 4. Coffee, tea, snacks Material 1. Personal Protective Equipment the employee is expected to wear 2. Examples of Products containing Silica Objective By the end of this session, personnel shall be able to describe: 1. What Silicosis is and Where it Comes From 2. Symptoms and Types of Silicosis 3. How Workers can be Exposed 4. How Workers can be Protected 5. What Precautions to take to reduce exposure 6. The Company s Medical Surveillance Program Background Many workers are exposed to the hazards of sand blasting without adequate protection. Even if all sandblasting equipment is properly designed and regularly inspected, users must always be alert to the hazards of these operations and take precautions against harmful exposures. It is the goal of the Company to significantly reduce employee exposure to crystalline silica, a serious health hazard, and other sandblasting-related conditions that affects the respiratory system and can lead to chronic illness and possible death.
Lesson What is Silicosis and Where does it Come From? Crystalline silica is a common mineral in the earth's crust, and is found in many types of rock including sand, quartz, and granite. Silica is present in both work and non-work environments. Silica is a one of several chemicals included in the larger classification of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ). Silicon dioxide is a chemical compound that includes crystalline silica (sand, quartz), amorphous silica (noncrystalline), and silicates (aluminum silicate). Crystalline silica is the basic component of sand, quartz, and granite rock. This form of silica is obtained from the earth s crust through mining. Crystalline silica can be processed into other materials including silica flour. Silica flour is produced through the milling of crystalline silica into a fine powder. Quartz is the most common mineral in the earth s crust and is recognized by its colorless crystals or white powders, that are also odorless and tasteless. Other common names for quartz include crystallized silicon dioxide and quartz silica. When workers inhale particles of crystalline silica, the smaller particles can become deposited in the lower lungs. Crystalline silica has a toxic effect that leads to the development of fibrotic nodules and scarring around the deposited silica particles. This fibrotic condition of the lungs is called silicosis. Symptoms and Types of Silicosis Silicosis is a disabling, progressive, and sometimes fatal disease. Symptoms of silicosis include coughing, difficulty in breathing, bluish skin, and shortness of breath. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates that there are more than one million American workers at risk of developing silicosis. There are three types of silicosis that a worker can develop: Chronic silicosis, which usually occurs after 10 or more years of exposure to crystalline silica at relatively low concentrations. Accelerated silicosis, which results from exposure to high concentrations of crystalline silica and develops five to 10 years after the initial exposure. Acute silicosis, which occurs where exposure concentrations are the highest and can cause symptoms to develop within a few weeks to four or five years after the initial exposure
The development of silicosis depends on several factors, including: the amount and kind of dust inhaled; the percentage of free silica in the dust; the form of silica; the size of the particles inhaled; the duration of exposure; the resistance capacity of the individual; and, the presence or absence of complications, such as infection. Smoking may also increase the rate at which the symptoms of silicosis occur. In addition to silicosis, exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust can lead to chronic airway obstruction and bronchitis, tuberculosis, and possibly lung and/or stomach cancer. How Workers are Exposed Airborne dust: This is one of the most serious hazards associated with blasting operations. When evaluating this hazard, it's important to consider the concentration of dust and the size of particles. Larger particles, considered "nuisance" dust, are normally filtered out in the nose and throat. Smaller particles (10 microns or smaller) can bypass the lung's filtering system and penetrate deep into the respiratory system, where they may cause serious damage. Safeguards are needed when smaller particles are present in the working environment. Metal dust, in addition to the abrasive being used, contributes to the generation of airborne dust. Metals such as lead, cadmium, and manganese, can be extremely toxic when inhaled. Many existing paints have a lead base. Regulations require special handling, trained personnel, and medical monitoring when lead is present. If in doubt, check it out. Don't guess. Silica sand: This product is a potentially serious health hazard and should not be used as an abrasive. If silica containing (quartz) materials are selected for any reason, workers must wear a positive pressure or pressure demand respirator with an assigned protection factor (APF) of either 1000 or 2000. Silica must be contained and disposed of properly. Even if a wet blasting method is selected, silica that is allowed to migrate by either wind or water, will eventually become an airborne contaminant.
Air supply: Air-supplied respirators must be used (1) when working inside of blast cleaning rooms, (2) when using portable units in areas without enclosure, and (3) under any circumstances where the operator is not physically separated from the abrasive material by an exhausted enclosure. If airline respirators and compressors are used, make sure the intake hose is placed in an area that provides clean air. An attendant should be in the area at all times, monitoring breathing air and assuring the blaster's safety. Additional personal protective equipment: Blasting operations create high noise levels, so hearing protection is a must--for both the operator and nearby workers! Operators should also use heavy canvas or leather gloves, aprons, or leggings when appropriate, as well as safety shoes. Manual cabinet blast cleaners should never be exhausted into an area where workers can breathe dusts. These fully enclosed cabinets are designed to filter out dust and re-use blasting medium. Handling and storing abrasives: Dust is nearly always created at any point where abrasives are transferred, whether by hand or shovel. Therefore, all points of transfer must be properly exhausted and workers who handle abrasives manually should wear particulate filter respirators. Worker Protection Silica sand or other substances containing more than 1% crystalline silica should never be used as abrasive blasting materials. Where silica exceeds 1% of the content, less hazardous materials should be substituted. In addition, always follow safe work practices when there is possible exposure to silica dust. For Appropriate Protection: Keep awareness high--which is the key to preventing silicosis. Recognize when silica dust may be generated and plan ahead to eliminate or control the dust at the source. Use proper respiratory protection when point of operation controls cannot keep exposures below the recommended exposure limit. Use Type CE pressure-demand, or positive-pressure, abrasive-blasting respirators when sandblasting.
Always use dust control systems when they are available and keep them well maintained. Be aware that high silica concentrations can occur inside and outside enclosed areas during operations such as concrete or masonry sawing or abrasive blasting. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in areas where sandblasting is being done, or where silica dust is being generated. Wear disposable or washable over-garments at the work site. Wash your hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking and vacuum (don't blow) dust from your clothing. Shower if possible and change into clean clothes before leaving the job site to prevent contamination of cars, homes, and other work areas. Precautionary Steps The following measures be taken to reduce exposures to respirable crystalline silica. 1. Recognize when silica dust may be generated and plan ahead to eliminate or control the dust at the source. Awareness and planning are keys to the prevention of silicosis. 2. Routinely maintain dust control systems to keep them in good working order. 3. Practice good personal hygiene to avoid unnecessary exposure to other worksite contaminants, such as lead. 4. Conduct air monitoring to measure worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica and ensure that controls are providing adequate protection to workers. 5. Provide periodic medical examinations for all workers who may be exposed to respirable crystalline silica. 6. Post warning signs to mark the boundaries of work areas contaminated with respirable crystalline silica. 7. Report all cases of silicosis to OSHA. Medical Surveillance Program The Company shall institute a medical surveillance program for all employees. For employees otherwise required by this standard to wear a negative pressure respirator, the Company shall ensure employees are physically able to perform the work and use the equipment. This determination shall be made under the supervision of a physician.
The Company shall ensure that all medical examinations and procedures are performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician, and are provided at no cost to the employee and at a reasonable time and place. Medical examinations and consultations- Frequency. The Company shall make available medical examinations and consultations to each employee on the following schedules: (A) Prior to assignment of the employee to an area where negative-pressure respirators are worn; (B) When the employee is assigned to an area where exposure to silicon may be at or above the permissible exposure limit for 30 or more days per year, a medical examination must be given within 10 working days following the thirtieth day of exposure; (C) And at least annually thereafter. (D) If the examining physician determines that any of the examinations should be provided more frequently than specified, the Company shall provided such examinations to affected employees at the frequencies specified by the physician. Closure Lungs take care of normal dust. Airborne dust and dirt is common at worksites--both at home and on the job. Fortunately, the body's respiratory system does a good of job filtering out dust and most foreign bodies. Fine particulates such as asbestos and silica, however, are so tiny they can get past our filtering system. This may cause serious lung problems over an extended period of time if protection or controls are not used. Respect these tiny invaders. Use the appropriate personal protective equipment and safety precautions. What questions do you have?