How are Construction Workers Exposed to Crystalline Silica?
Most crystalline silica comes in the form of quartz. Common sand can be as much as 100% quartz. Concrete and masonry products contain quartz in the form of sand. Therefore, there are many ways to be exposed at construction sites. Activities That Produce Quartz Dust: • Abrasive blasting using silica sand as the abrasive. • Abrasive blasting of concrete. • Chipping, hammering, and drilling rock. • Crushing, loading, hauling, and dumping rock. • Chipping, hammering, drilling, sawing, and grinding concrete or masonry. • Demolition of concrete and masonry structures. • Dry sweeping or pressurized air blowing of concrete or sand dust. Prevention: The key to silicosis prevention is to prevent dust from being in the air. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires administrative or engineering controls be used whenever possible. A simple control may work. Example: A water hose to wet dust down at the point of generation. Other steps that can taken to protect workers: • Al
