OSHA Construction Silica Safety

About This Course

Course Objectives

Introduction to OSHA Construction Silica Safety Training

• History of Silica Regulatory Efforts in Construction
• Key Provisions of the OSHA Regulations
• Monitoring
• Exposure Assessment
• More About the Permissible Exposure Limit
• Standards Currently in Place
• Injury Statistics
• Key Terms

All About Crystalline Silica

• Quartz and Cristobalite
• How Are Workers Exposed to Silica?
• Is Silica a Hazard in My Workplace?
• Determining How Much Silica Is Present
• Selecting a Laboratory
• Implementing Controls

Silica-related Diseases

• Stages of Silicosis
• Chronic Silicosis
• Accelerated Silicosis
• Acute Silicosis
• How Can You Determine If You Have Silicosis?
• Medical Examinations

Controlling Silica Exposure in Construction

• Hierarchy of Controls
• What Can Workers Do to Limit Their Exposure?
• Eliminate the Silica
• Apply Controls
• Be Educated
• Be Silica-Savvy
• Use Proper Hygiene
• Leave Silica at Work
• Use Proper Personal Protective Equipment
• Use Proper Ventilation
• Eliminate or Reduce the Risk of Silica Flour

Practical Applications for Controlling Silica

• Hazard Reduction and Elimination
• Overhead Protection with Safety Nets
• Specifics of Overhead Protection

General Safety and Standards

• Using Stationary Masonry Saws
• Wet Cutting
• Vacuum Dust Collection Systems
• Ventilation Booths
• Using Handheld Masonry Saws
• Water
• Local Exhaust Ventilation
• Using Hand-Operated Grinders
• Local Exhaust Ventilation System
• Using Jackhammers
• Using Vehicle-Mounted Rock Drilling Rigs
• Maximize Dry Dust Collection
• Maximize Wet Suppression
• Use and Maintain Enclosed Cabs
• Performing Drywall Finishing

Summary

Additional Resources

Exam

In the construction industry, common workplace operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling, and crushing of concrete, brick, block, rock, and stone products; and operations using sand products (such as sand blasting), can result in the inhalation of small (respirable) crystalline silica particles in the air.

OSHA has not specified any time frame for required retraining or recertification for Silica Hazards & Silica Safety. Since there is no OSHA standard dealing with this specific hazard the OSH Act general duty clause, section 5(a)(1), 29 U.S.C. 654(b)(1) defines the standard which provides that:

(a) Each employer –

(1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.

A recognized hazard is a danger recognized by the employer’s industry or industry in general, by the employer, or by common sense. The general duty clause does not apply if there is an OSHA standard dealing with the hazard, unless the employer knows that the standard does not adequately address the hazard.

Therefore it is our recommendation that workers be retrained at least every three years.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has determined the compliance and safety standards for silica in the workplace. These standards are referred to by OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153. If you are located in one of the states with an OSHA-approved state plan, be sure to check the standards and enforcement policies that have been established in your state.