| Modules: | 6 |
| Hours: | 6 |
| Sector: | Construction |
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Welcome!
Crystalline silica commonly occurs in nature as the mineral quartz. It is found in granite, sandstone, quartzite, various other rocks, and sand. Workers who inhale very small crystalline silica particles are at risk for silicosis - an incurable, progressively disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease.
In this course, we'll discuss these new provisions with special emphasis on effective control measures eliminate or reduce exposure to safe levels.
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Key Topics
- Forms of Silica Including Quartz, Cristobalite, and Tridymite
- Visible and Respirable Dust
- Exposure Control Plan Components
- Exposure to Silica Dust
- Silicosis and Symptoms of Exposure
- Permissible Exposure Limits and Measuring Airborne Silica
- Silica Dust Control Strategies
- Wet and Dry Controls Methods
- Dust Collection Systems
- Exhaust Systems
- Respiratory Protection
- Medical Surveillance
- Recordkeeping
- Housekeeping
- Best Practices in Cutting, Drilling, Hammering, Blasting, Milling, and Crushing
Target Audience
- Employee
- Supervisor
- Trainer
- Manager
Course Introduction
Click to play video
Crystalline silica commonly occurs in nature as the mineral quartz. It is found in granite, sandstone, quartzite, various other rocks, and sand. Workers who inhale very small crystalline silica particles are at risk for silicosis – an incurable, progressively disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease.
About 2.3 million workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in their workplaces. About two million construction workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in more than 600,000 workplaces. OSHA estimates more than 840,000 of these workers are exposed to silica levels that exceed the permissible exposure limit (PEL).
OSHA's 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica for general industry and maritime requires employers to limit worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica and to take other steps to protect workers.
Among other things, the standard requires employers to:
- Assess employee exposures to silica if it may be at or above an action level of 25 µg/m3 (micrograms of silica per cubic meter of air), averaged over an 8-hour day;
- Protect workers from respirable crystalline silica exposures above the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3, averaged over an 8-hour day;
- Limit workers' access to areas where they could be exposed above the PEL;
- Use dust controls to protect workers from silica exposures above the PEL;
- Provide respirators to workers when dust controls cannot limit exposures to the PEL;
- Use housekeeping methods that do not create airborne dust, if feasible;
- Establish and implement a written exposure control plan that identifies tasks that involve exposure and methods used to protect workers;
- Offer medical exams - including chest X-rays and lung function tests - every three years for workers exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year;
- Train workers on work operations that result in silica exposure and ways to limit exposure; and
- Keep records of exposure measurements, objective data, and medical exams.
In this course, we’ll discuss these new provisions with special emphasis on effective control measures eliminate or reduce exposure to safe levels.
Modules
To begin your training, click on the module links below. If you are just starting this course, you should start with module 1.
Course 851 Final Exam
After studying the course material and answering the quiz questions, it is time to take the final exam. We highly recommend answering the module quiz questions to check your understanding of the course material. The final exam questions are typically developed from these quiz questions.
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Course 851 Study Guide. You can save this study guide to your computer for offline studying, or print the study guide if you prefer.
Endnotes
1. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. (2016). NIOSH Silica Controls for Construction. Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/silica/constructioncontrolmain.html
2. CPWR/NIOSH. (2016). Model Silica Specifications Retrieved from: http://www.cpwr.com/sites/default/files/publications/CPWR%20Model%20Silica%20Specifications-2014.pdf
3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2016a). Safety and Health Topics, Silica, Crystalline. Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/silicacrystalline/index.html
4. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2016b). Operating Handheld Masonry Saws. Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/silica/OSHA_FS-3627.pdf
5. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2016c). Operating Handheld Masonry Saws. Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/silica/OSHA_FS-3631.pdf
6. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2016d). Operating Handheld Grinders. Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/silica/OSHA_FS-3628.pdf
7. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2016e). Operating Rotary Hammers. Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/silica/OSHA_FS-3630.pdf
8. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2016f). Operating Vehicle Mounted Rock Drills. Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/silica/OSHA_FS-3633.pdf
9. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2016g). Jackhammering. Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/silica/OSHA_FS-3629.pdf
10. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2016h). Tuckpointing/Motar Removal. Retrieved from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/silica/OSHA_FS-3632.pdf