OSHA’s New National Emphasis Program: Crystalline Silica

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

Crystalline SilicaCrystalline Silica

Crystalline SilicaCrystalline Silica

• SiO2 –silicon dioxide• Also known as “free silica”• Significantly more hazardous than

amorphous silica• 3 mineralogical forms

– Quartz—most common– Cristobalite– Tridymite

Application of the NEPApplication of the NEP• General Industry—1910

• Construction--1926

Features of NEPFeatures of NEP• 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

Goals of NEPGoals of NEP• Eliminate employee overexposure• Control health hazards associated with

overexposure

Health Effects of Crystalline SilicaHealth Effects of Crystalline Silica

• Silicosis– 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

Symptoms and Signs of Chronic Symptoms and Signs of Chronic SilicosisSilicosis

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.

Exposure to Crystalline SilicaExposure to Crystalline Silica• High historical exposures

– Sandblasting– Mining (regulated by MSHA)

– Tunneling– Granite cutting– Sand-casting foundry operations

• Other exposures—see Appendix B, “Industries with Potential Overexposure to Silica”

•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

Left column: Industries with exposure

Middle column:Occupations with exposure

Right column: Materials containing crystalline silica

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.

PEL—General IndustryPEL—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

PEL—Construction and MaritimePEL—Construction and Maritime

• 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

• Whatever the worksite: The more crystalline silica there is in the dust, the less of the dust may be breathed

Selection of Worksites for NEPSelection of Worksites for NEP• Focus: Worksites where workers are potentially

exposed to levels of crystalline silica in excess of the PEL

• Representative of the distribution of worksites in general industry and construction in each Region

• At least 2 percent of inspections every year in each Region must be silica-related

• Functionally, NEP will be a compositeof LEPs

Sources for SelectionSources for Selection• NAICS codes identified from OSHA inspection

data (Appendix B)• Other sources

– Workers’ comp claims data– Public health data from sources such as NIOSH– Referrals from

• Local agencies• Healthcare providers

– Previous inspection histories

Sources for Selection Sources for Selection (cont’d)(cont’d)

• Other sources (cont’d)– Dun & Bradstreet employer list– Commercial directories– Telephone listings– Local knowledge– Dodge reports for

construction sites

Scope of InspectionScope of InspectionInspection may be expanded beyond silica-relatedactivities if otherhazards or violationsare observed.

Inspection ProceduresInspection Procedures Employee exposure monitoring,

including the collection of bulk samples

Engineering and work practicecontrols

Respiratory protection Hazard communication Symptoms of silicosis in workplace Housekeeping and hygiene Employee exposure and medical

records Abrasive blasting

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

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

to reduce exposures as low as possible − respiratory protection to supplement

• Abatement verification data used by Office of Statistics

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

• Each LEP will be evaluated foreffectiveness 1 year afterimplementation.

Ways to Reduce ExposureWays 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

Ways to Reduce Exposure Ways 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.

Ways to Reduce Exposure Ways 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.

Ways to Reduce Exposure Ways 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. 1999-113: Control of Drywall Sanding Dust Exposures

OutreachOutreach• Crystalline silica-related information and

training materials will be available through the Regional Offices for distribution to the Area Offices and Consultation Program offices

• Regions and Area Offices will develop outreach programs to support enforcement efforts

OSHA Internet InformationOSHA Internet Information• 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”

NIOSH Internet InformationNIOSH 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?