Prevention of Respirable

Crystalline Silica at the workplace

Social Dialogue

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Insert your logo Crystalline Silica in Foundries

Crystalline silica is ubiquitous Crystalline silica is the base material of cores and

moulds Crystalline silica flour is the base material of

refractory materials Where there is crystalline silica, there is often also

respirable crystalline silica

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Definition of Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust (RCS)

alveolar fraction (A)

thoracic fraction

respirable fraction (R)

Aerodynamic diameter (µm)

Ma

tter %

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0

0,1

0,2

0,3

0,4

0,5

1975 1985 1995 2005

Red line: Current limit value in A and inofficial limit value in D: 0.15 mg/m3

Grey line: Suggestion from SCOEL for EU: < 0.05 mg/m3

RCS at workplaces in foundries

The blue curve reflects the 90%-value in mg/m3 (Main association of commercial Employers' Liability Insurance Association)

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(1) Other limits are applied for dust containing quartz(2) Since 1 October 2006(3) No OELs for crystalline silica since 2005, instead there is a workers health protection system.

Countries All industries (mg/m³)

Austria (1) 0.15Belgium 0.1Czech Republic 0.1Denmark (1) 0.1Estonia 0.1Finland 0.2France (1) 0.1Germany (3)Greece (1) 0.1Hungary 0.15Ireland 0.1Italy 0.05Netherlands 0.075Poland 0.3Portugal 0.05Slovak Republic 0.1Slovenia 0.15Spain 0.1Sweden 0.1UK (2) 0.1

European limit values for crystalline silica

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IARC1 Classification 1997

Crystalline silica inhaled in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources is carcinogenic to humans, group 1

In making the overall evaluation, the Working Group noted that carcinogenicity was not detected in all industrial circumstances studied2

1: IARC: International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon

2: IARC Monographs 68, “Silica, silicates, dusts and organic dusts” (1997)

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SCOEL1 Statement 2003

The main effect in humans of the inhalation of respirable silica dust is silicosis. There is sufficient information to conclude that the relative risk of lung cancer is increased in persons with silicosis.

Therefore preventing the onset of silicosis will also reduce the cancer risk. Since a clear threshold for silicosis development cannot be identified, any reduction of exposure will reduce the risk of silicosis.

It arises that an OEL should lie below 0.05 mg/m3.

1: SCOEL: European Commission DG EMPL, Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits

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New cases of silicosis excl. coal workers

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Belgium: Fonds des Maladies ProfessionnellesFrance: Statistiques Financières et Technologiques des Accidents du Travail, CNAM UK: Health & Safety Statistics, HSE Germany: Berufgenossenschaften Statistiken

New cases of silicosis excl. coal workers

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Consequences of an EU classification

SubstitutionUse in closed systems whenever technically

possible (Minimisation down to zero)Labeling as carcinogenEnvironmental regulatory concerns (e.g.

emissions, waste, etc.)Critical public attentionOEL: below 0,05 mgNot feasible in most foundry shops

Appropriate reply: Action not legislation

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What is a Social Dialogue?

Agreement between social partners on EU level Social Dialogue Agreement (SDA) instead of legal regulations Preparation of „Good Practices Documents“ Employers strive for implementation Monitoring in companies (employer/employee)

Several industries concerned Formalised procedure of the EU-Treaty Strong support through the EU Commission!! Signature on April 25, 2006 Entry into force October 25, 2006

Insert your logo Social Dialogue on crystalline silica in the EU –

Panels at the negotiations

Negotiation Platform on Silica (NePSi) Plenary

Employers

NePSiOffice

Technical Working Group:

Measures etc.

Steering-Working Group:

Rules etc.

Employees

CAEF CEEMET

DGVGDMVDG

EMF

IG-MetallGesamt-

metall

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Agreement text Objectives

Health protection of employees Minimisation of exposure through application of Good Practices

(no European limit values) Increase of knowledge

„Non application“: Non compliance with the treaty and the Good Practices that

leads to an increased exposure and thereby to health risks

Principles Increase of knowledge, necessity of a strategy of prevention Silica is indispensable for many industrial processes

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Agreement text (2) Good Practices

Obligation to comply with described technical solutions or comparable effective protective measures

Documentation within the scope of a risk assessment (that needs to be created anyway)

Monitoring and Reporting Double verification principle for monitoring the Good Practices Monitoring format considerably adapted and easy to handle Time and effort for monitoring within reason (0.5 to 2 days every 2

years) Implementation and updating may require extra time, depending on the

status of the respective occupational safety and health organization Monitoring is added value from point of view of the workers‘ unions

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Annex 3 Reporting

In foundries the employer has to prepare a report every 2 years in coordination with the employees’ representative on the situation regarding crystalline silica dust, there are the following tasks:

Number of …

• employees

• employees exposed to crystalline silica

• employees included in risk management

• employees included in health monitoring

• employees trained and informed on crystalline silica

• technical occupational health and safety measures

• organisational occupational health and safety measures

• personal protective measures

•Free area for your comments

Just yes/no

no figures

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Agreement text (3) Training of employees Establishment of a council as single institution to supervise

implementation and interpretation of the agreement Equal representation, consensual decisions aspired In repeated cases of unjustified non-application of the Good Practices by a

company: Resolution on „appropriate measures“ Reimbursement through European Union

Confidentiality stipulation Duration

Right for termination at any time at one-year period If EU law is suggested regarding crystalline silica, parties convene to

consult consequences Entry into force

Since October 2006

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More on the Social Dialogue

Negotiations have been concluded with a result that has been accepted by all negotiating parties

Concrete occupational health and safety measures have been agreed upon

The agreed health and safety measures as well as their monitoring and reporting are demanding

The agreements (especially the Good Practices) are geared to circumstances in modern central-European foundries

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Good Practice Guide on Workers’ Health Protection through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and

Products containing it

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Part 1: Respirable crystalline silica essentials 1. Introduction 1.1 What is silica? 1.2 Respirable crystalline silica 1.3 Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica 2. Silica and the silica industry 2.1 Where silica occurs 3. Respirable crystalline silica and its health effects 4. Risk Management – What do I need to do?

Annex 1: Table of Occupational Exposure Limit Values 2Annex 2: Tables of processes generating fine particles

Part 2: Task Manual 56 Task Guidance Sheets, of which 28 are of relevance for foundries

Annex 1: Good Practices

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Annex 1

Risk Management

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2.1.4

Design of ducting This activity covers design of the ductwork, which makes up part of a dust extraction system. This guidance sheet is to be read in conjunction with the sheets entitled “local exhaust ventilation” and “design of dust extraction units”.

Access Restrict access to the work area to authorised personnel

only.

Design and equipment

This guidance sheet is aimed at employers to help them comply with the requirements of workplace health and safety legislation, by controlling exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Specifically, this sheet provides advice on the design of ducting, for connection to a dust extraction unit in the workplace. It describes the key points you need to follow to help design an efficient system of ductwork, which is easy to maintain. Depending on the specific circumstances of each case, it may not be necessary to apply all of the control measures identified in this sheet in order to minimize exposure to respirable crystalline silica. i.e. to apply appropriate protection and prevention measures. This document should also be made available to persons who may be exposed to respirable crystalline silica in the workplace, in order that they may make the best use of the control measures which are implemented. This sheet forms part of the Good Practices Guide on silica dust prevention, which is aimed specifically at the control of personal exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust in the workplace.

.

Definition of

objective

Title and (repeated) sub-titles

Picture or illustration

Maintenance

Examination and testing

Cleaning and housekeeping Do not clean up with a dry brush or using compressed air.

Personal Protective Equipment Refer to task sheet 2.1.15 dedicated to Personal Protective Equipment.

Training Give your employees information on the health effects associated with

respirable crystalline silica dust

Provide employees with training on: dust exposure prevention; checking controls are working and using them; when and how to use any respiratory protective equipment provided and what to do if something goes wrong. Refer to task sheet 2.1.19 and part 1 of the Good Practice Guide.

Supervision Have a system to check that control measures are in place and

that they are being followed. Refer to task sheet 2.1.17.

Employers should make sure that employees have all the means to perform the checklist given opposite.

Employee checklist for making the best use of the controls Look for signs of damage,

wear or poor operation of any equipment used. If you find any problems, tell your supervisor.

Employee checklist

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Individual task sheets: General

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Individual task sheets: Foundries

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The Agreement will enter into effect 6 months after its implementation, provided it has been translated into the 20 official EU languages.

In 2007, a preliminary reporting on the status of implementation will be organized.

Official reporting for the first time in 2008, and every 2 years from then on.

Signature25/04/06

Entry into effect

25/10/06

Preliminary

reportingMay 2007

reporting May 2008

Translation

Time Line

Insert your logo Action plan for companies

Implement checklist

Nominate responsibles

Organize training sessions

Determine exposure (risk assessment)

Prepare reporting

Further information:

www.dgv.de

www.nepsi.eu

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