Silicosis - A Primer for Silicosis - A Primer for Workplace PreventionWorkplace Prevention

The History of SilicosisThe History of Silicosis

Reports of workers dying of silicosis - a Reports of workers dying of silicosis - a disabling, non-reversible and sometimes fatal disabling, non-reversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by inhaling dust lung disease caused by inhaling dust containing silica - date back to ancient Greece.containing silica - date back to ancient Greece.

During the Industrial Revolution of the late During the Industrial Revolution of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, as farmers and 1800’s and early 1900’s, as farmers and immigrants took jobs in dusty foundries, mills immigrants took jobs in dusty foundries, mills and mines, exposures to silica significantly and mines, exposures to silica significantly increased and consequently so did the increased and consequently so did the disease’s prevalence.disease’s prevalence.

The History of SilicosisThe History of Silicosis

Studies in the 1910’s showed high rates of Studies in the 1910’s showed high rates of silicosis among the lead and zinc miners of silicosis among the lead and zinc miners of Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri where rocks Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri where rocks and ores have been known to consist of more and ores have been known to consist of more than 95% of silica. One study in 1915 showed than 95% of silica. One study in 1915 showed that more than half of the 700 zinc miners that more than half of the 700 zinc miners sampled had silicosis.sampled had silicosis.

The History of SilicosisThe History of Silicosis During the 1930’s outrage over silicosis heightened During the 1930’s outrage over silicosis heightened

with the advent of the Hawk’s Nest incident, which with the advent of the Hawk’s Nest incident, which has been called “America’s worst industrial has been called “America’s worst industrial disaster”. During a hydroelectric project through a disaster”. During a hydroelectric project through a West Virginia mountain, workers who were not West Virginia mountain, workers who were not provided any respiratory protection were exposed to provided any respiratory protection were exposed to very high contents of silica. Although it was current very high contents of silica. Although it was current knowledge that the exposure to dust containing knowledge that the exposure to dust containing silica was known to be potentially fatal, sponsors’ of silica was known to be potentially fatal, sponsors’ of the project did nothing. Estimates of the number of the project did nothing. Estimates of the number of deaths associated with this exposure range from 66 deaths associated with this exposure range from 66 to a researcher’s study count of more than 700.to a researcher’s study count of more than 700.

The History of SilicosisThe History of Silicosis

Soon after the Hawk’s Nest incident, then Soon after the Hawk’s Nest incident, then Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins declared Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins declared war on silicosis after a national conferences in war on silicosis after a national conferences in 1936 and 1940 a film entitled “Stop Silicosis” 1936 and 1940 a film entitled “Stop Silicosis” was issued to help elevate the national agenda was issued to help elevate the national agenda and promote the need to prevent silicosis.and promote the need to prevent silicosis.

The History of SilicosisThe History of Silicosis

Almost 30 years later in response to the Almost 30 years later in response to the growing concern regarding workers’ safety, growing concern regarding workers’ safety, several new federal laws were passed in the several new federal laws were passed in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s adopting rules late 1960’s and early 1970’s adopting rules that limited the exposure to silica dust. that limited the exposure to silica dust.

Since that time deaths due to the exposure of Since that time deaths due to the exposure of silicosis have declined, however, the disease silicosis have declined, however, the disease still claims more than 250 American workers still claims more than 250 American workers and disabling countless others.and disabling countless others.

National Initiative National Initiative to Prevent Silicosisto Prevent Silicosis

1997 National Conference to 1997 National Conference to Eliminate Silicosis - March 25th & Eliminate Silicosis - March 25th & 26th, 199726th, 1997

OSHA-MSHA-NIOSH PartnershipOSHA-MSHA-NIOSH Partnership American Lung AssociationAmerican Lung Association Share InformationShare Information Share Statistical Information Share Statistical Information

What is Silicosis?What is Silicosis? Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and

sometimes fatal lung disease caused by sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to respirable crystalline silica. overexposure to respirable crystalline silica. Silica is the second most common mineral in the Silica is the second most common mineral in the earth’s crust and is a major component of sand, earth’s crust and is a major component of sand, rock and mineral ores. Overexposure to dust that rock and mineral ores. Overexposure to dust that contains microscopic particles of crystalline silica contains microscopic particles of crystalline silica can cause scar tissue to form in the lungs, which can cause scar tissue to form in the lungs, which reduces the lungs’ ability to extract oxygen from reduces the lungs’ ability to extract oxygen from the air we breathe. Typical sand found at thethe air we breathe. Typical sand found at the beach does not pose a silicosis threat.beach does not pose a silicosis threat.

TypesTypes

There are three types of silicosis, depending There are three types of silicosis, depending upon the airborne concentration of crystalline upon the airborne concentration of crystalline silica to which a worker has been exposed:silica to which a worker has been exposed:– Chronic SilicosisChronic Silicosis usually occurs after 10 or usually occurs after 10 or

more years of overexposuremore years of overexposure– Accelerated silicosisAccelerated silicosis results from higher results from higher

exposures and develops over 5-10 years.exposures and develops over 5-10 years.– Acute silicosis occursAcute silicosis occurs where exposures are where exposures are

the highest and can cause symptoms to the highest and can cause symptoms to develop within a few weeks or up to 5 years.develop within a few weeks or up to 5 years.

Where Do You FindWhere Do You FindSilica Dust?Silica Dust?

Here are some examples of the industries and activities that Here are some examples of the industries and activities that pose the greatest potential risk for worker exposure:pose the greatest potential risk for worker exposure:– construction (sandblasting, rock drilling, masonry work, jack construction (sandblasting, rock drilling, masonry work, jack

hammering, tunneling)hammering, tunneling)– mining (cutting or drilling through sandstone and granitemining (cutting or drilling through sandstone and granite– foundry work (grinding, moldings, shakeout, core room)foundry work (grinding, moldings, shakeout, core room)– ceramics, clay, and potteryceramics, clay, and pottery– stone cutting (sawing, abrasive blasting, chipping, grinding)stone cutting (sawing, abrasive blasting, chipping, grinding)– glass manufacturingglass manufacturing– agricultureagriculture– shipyards (abrasive blasting)shipyards (abrasive blasting)– railroad (setting and laying track)railroad (setting and laying track)– manufacturing and use of abrasivesmanufacturing and use of abrasives– manufacturing of soaps and detergentsmanufacturing of soaps and detergents

What Are the Symptoms & What Are the Symptoms & Complications of SilicosisComplications of Silicosis

Chronic silicosis, the most common form of the disease, may Chronic silicosis, the most common form of the disease, may go undetected for years in the early stages; in fact, a chest X-go undetected for years in the early stages; in fact, a chest X-ray may not reveal an abnormality until after 15 or 20 years of ray may not reveal an abnormality until after 15 or 20 years of exposure. The body’s ability to fight infections may be exposure. The body’s ability to fight infections may be overwhelmed by silica dust in the lungs, making workers more overwhelmed by silica dust in the lungs, making workers more susceptible to certain illnesses, such as tuberculosis. As susceptible to certain illnesses, such as tuberculosis. As silicosis progresses, you may exhibit one or more of the silicosis progresses, you may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:following symptoms:– shortness of breath following physical exertionshortness of breath following physical exertion– severe coughsevere cough– fatiguefatigue– loss of appetiteloss of appetite– chest painschest pains– feverfever

What Can Employers Do to What Can Employers Do to Prevent Silicosis?Prevent Silicosis?

Make a commitment to prevent silicosis at your worksites.Make a commitment to prevent silicosis at your worksites. Comply with OSHA and MSHA regulations on respirable crystalline Comply with OSHA and MSHA regulations on respirable crystalline

silica. If your employees are overexposed, reduce exposure silica. If your employees are overexposed, reduce exposure levels through the use of engineering controls. While these levels through the use of engineering controls. While these controls are being installed, or if they are being repaired, provide controls are being installed, or if they are being repaired, provide appropriate respiratory protection.appropriate respiratory protection.

Perform air monitoring of worksites as needed, and when Perform air monitoring of worksites as needed, and when required by law, and take corrective action when silica levels are required by law, and take corrective action when silica levels are excessive. Monitoring provides a basis for:excessive. Monitoring provides a basis for:– selecting and ensuring the effectiveness of engineering selecting and ensuring the effectiveness of engineering

controlscontrols– selecting proper respiratory protectionselecting proper respiratory protection– seeing if work practices to reduce dust levels are effectiveseeing if work practices to reduce dust levels are effective– determining if a medical surveillance program is necessarydetermining if a medical surveillance program is necessary

What Can Employers Do to What Can Employers Do to Prevent Silicosis?Prevent Silicosis?

Install and maintain engineering controls to eliminate or Install and maintain engineering controls to eliminate or reduce the amount of silica in the air and the build-up of reduce the amount of silica in the air and the build-up of dust on equipment and surfaces. Examples of controls dust on equipment and surfaces. Examples of controls include: exhaust ventilation and dust collection include: exhaust ventilation and dust collection systems, water sprays, wet drilling, enclosed cabs, and systems, water sprays, wet drilling, enclosed cabs, and drill platform skirts. Practice preventive maintenance drill platform skirts. Practice preventive maintenance because the extreme abrasiveness of the silica dust can because the extreme abrasiveness of the silica dust can damage the systems you install.damage the systems you install.

Substitute less hazardous materials than crystalline Substitute less hazardous materials than crystalline silica for abrasive blasting, when possible. Try to use silica for abrasive blasting, when possible. Try to use automatic blast cleaning machines or cabinets that automatic blast cleaning machines or cabinets that allow operating the machines from outside using gloved allow operating the machines from outside using gloved armholes.armholes.

What Can Employers Do to What Can Employers Do to Prevent Silicosis?Prevent Silicosis?

Supply vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) Supply vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and advise employees to vacuum, hose down, or wet filters, and advise employees to vacuum, hose down, or wet sweep work areas, instead of dry sweepingsweep work areas, instead of dry sweeping

Train workers about health effects, engineering controls and Train workers about health effects, engineering controls and work practices that reduce dust, the importance of work practices that reduce dust, the importance of maintenance and good housekeeping, as well as on the maintenance and good housekeeping, as well as on the proper type and fitting of respirators. Make sure they know proper type and fitting of respirators. Make sure they know what operations and materials present a silica hazard.what operations and materials present a silica hazard.

Establish a written respiratory protection program. Outfit Establish a written respiratory protection program. Outfit employees with appropriately selected, properly fitted, employees with appropriately selected, properly fitted, approved respirators when engineering controls alone are approved respirators when engineering controls alone are insufficient to keep exposures within safe levels. Be sure insufficient to keep exposures within safe levels. Be sure respirators are kept clean and properly maintained and that respirators are kept clean and properly maintained and that employees are trained in their use.employees are trained in their use.

What Employers Can Do...What Employers Can Do... Provide medical examinations for employees who may Provide medical examinations for employees who may

be exposed to respirable crystalline silica, as be exposed to respirable crystalline silica, as recommended by NIOSH, and have X-rays read by a recommended by NIOSH, and have X-rays read by a specialist in just diseases. Develop a plan for reducing specialist in just diseases. Develop a plan for reducing exposures of employees whose X-rays show changes exposures of employees whose X-rays show changes consistent with silicosis.consistent with silicosis.

Report all cases of silicosis to state health departments Report all cases of silicosis to state health departments and to MSHA, and record cases on OSHA logs, as and to MSHA, and record cases on OSHA logs, as required.required.

Post warning signs to identify work areas where Post warning signs to identify work areas where respirable silica is present.respirable silica is present.

What OSHA and MSHA What OSHA and MSHA Regulations Apply?Regulations Apply?

OSHA enforces a permissible exposure limit, which is the OSHA enforces a permissible exposure limit, which is the maximum amount of airborne crystalline silica that an maximum amount of airborne crystalline silica that an employee may be exposed to during an eight-hour work employee may be exposed to during an eight-hour work shift.. That amount is 10 mg/m(3) MSHA enforces its own shift.. That amount is 10 mg/m(3) MSHA enforces its own exposure limits, has rules requiring controls for drills, and exposure limits, has rules requiring controls for drills, and requires air sampling in certain situations. requires air sampling in certain situations.

Other relevant OSHA and MSHA regulations include: Other relevant OSHA and MSHA regulations include: respiratory protection, posting of warning signs, respiratory protection, posting of warning signs, housekeeping, recordkeeping or reporting of occupational housekeeping, recordkeeping or reporting of occupational illnesses, abrasive blasting, personal protective illnesses, abrasive blasting, personal protective equipment, and training. OSHA has rules on hazard equipment, and training. OSHA has rules on hazard communication, safety and health programs in communication, safety and health programs in construction, and access to employee exposure and construction, and access to employee exposure and medical records.medical records.

What Can Workers Do to What Can Workers Do to Prevent Silicosis?Prevent Silicosis?

Work with your employer to prevent silicosis at your worksite.Work with your employer to prevent silicosis at your worksite. Use engineering controls installed by your employer to reduce silica dust Use engineering controls installed by your employer to reduce silica dust

levels, and make sure they are properly maintained. Tell your employer levels, and make sure they are properly maintained. Tell your employer when they aren’t working properly.when they aren’t working properly.

Minimize dust by following good work practices, such as removing dust Minimize dust by following good work practices, such as removing dust with a water hose or vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate filter with a water hose or vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate filter rather than blowing it clean with compressed air, or by wet sweeping rather than blowing it clean with compressed air, or by wet sweeping instead of dry sweeping.instead of dry sweeping.

Suggest to your employer to substitute less hazardous materials than Suggest to your employer to substitute less hazardous materials than crystalline silica for abrasive blasting.crystalline silica for abrasive blasting.

Wear, maintain, and correctly use approved particulate respirators when Wear, maintain, and correctly use approved particulate respirators when engineering controls alone are not adequate to reduce exposures below engineering controls alone are not adequate to reduce exposures below permissible levels. Beards and mustaches interfere with the respirator permissible levels. Beards and mustaches interfere with the respirator seal to the face, making most respirators ineffective.seal to the face, making most respirators ineffective.

If you must sandblast, use type CE positive pressure abrasive blasting If you must sandblast, use type CE positive pressure abrasive blasting respirators.respirators.

What Can Workers Do to What Can Workers Do to Prevent Silicosis?Prevent Silicosis?

Participate in air monitoring, medical surveillance, and training Participate in air monitoring, medical surveillance, and training programs offered by your employer or when required by law.programs offered by your employer or when required by law.

Talk to your employer, employee representative, or union if you are Talk to your employer, employee representative, or union if you are concerned about the dust in your workplace. Ask for the results of concerned about the dust in your workplace. Ask for the results of air sampling done at your worksite. You may also contact the air sampling done at your worksite. You may also contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Mine Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).

As a reminder, whenever you work with toxic materials, it is always a As a reminder, whenever you work with toxic materials, it is always a sound practice to:sound practice to:– Change into disposable or washable work clothes at your Change into disposable or washable work clothes at your

worksite, if possible; shower, where available; and change into worksite, if possible; shower, where available; and change into clean clothing before leaving your worksite.clean clothing before leaving your worksite.

– Avoid eating, drinking, or using tobacco products in work areas Avoid eating, drinking, or using tobacco products in work areas where there is dust or other toxic materials.where there is dust or other toxic materials.

– Wash your hands and face before eating or drinking.Wash your hands and face before eating or drinking.

Mine Safety and Health Mine Safety and Health AdministrationAdministration

MSHA prioritizes health risks in metal and nonmetal mines and MSHA prioritizes health risks in metal and nonmetal mines and allocates Agency resources according to ranking criteria described allocates Agency resources according to ranking criteria described in the attached excerpt from its Program Policy Manual (“Sampling in the attached excerpt from its Program Policy Manual (“Sampling Policy for Airborne Contaminants and Nose”, Volume IV, pp 3-7). Policy for Airborne Contaminants and Nose”, Volume IV, pp 3-7). These criteria specify how often the Agency should sample mines These criteria specify how often the Agency should sample mines based on their health hazards. The more serious the hazard, the based on their health hazards. The more serious the hazard, the more often a mine is sampled. The least hazardous mines are more often a mine is sampled. The least hazardous mines are sampled only once every 5 years unless a more serious problem is sampled only once every 5 years unless a more serious problem is identified through an inspection or employee complaint.identified through an inspection or employee complaint.

When the Agency Ranks a mine, it considers the history of When the Agency Ranks a mine, it considers the history of overexposure, the type of process, and the commodity. Ground overexposure, the type of process, and the commodity. Ground silica and industrial sand operations are always ranked “A” silica and industrial sand operations are always ranked “A” requiring annual sampling. Among other mines with “A” ranking requiring annual sampling. Among other mines with “A” ranking are those with lead, asbestos, mercury, or cadmium as products or are those with lead, asbestos, mercury, or cadmium as products or by-products.by-products.

Sampling Policy for Sampling Policy for Airborne Contaminants Airborne Contaminants

and Noiseand Noise At least annually, enforcement personnel in each Metal and At least annually, enforcement personnel in each Metal and

Nonmetal office shall review a printout of the Personal Nonmetal office shall review a printout of the Personal Exposure Data Summary (PEDS) listing samples taken at the Exposure Data Summary (PEDS) listing samples taken at the mines in their jurisdiction over the past 5 years. Based on this mines in their jurisdiction over the past 5 years. Based on this review and all other relevant information, each mine shall be review and all other relevant information, each mine shall be ranked and sampled according to the criteria and frequencies ranked and sampled according to the criteria and frequencies indicated (in Paragraph B). This policy applies equally to all indicated (in Paragraph B). This policy applies equally to all mines, full-time, seasonal, and intermittent.mines, full-time, seasonal, and intermittent.

In general, personal In general, personal full-shiftfull-shift exposure samples shall be taken. exposure samples shall be taken. Miners shall be sampled for Miners shall be sampled for everyevery contaminant to which they contaminant to which they

are likely to be significantly exposed. “Significant” exposure is are likely to be significantly exposed. “Significant” exposure is one-half the permissible exposure limit (PEL). Citations are one-half the permissible exposure limit (PEL). Citations are issued for exposures in excess of 1.2 times the PEL.issued for exposures in excess of 1.2 times the PEL.

Sampling RequirementsSampling Requirements Samples for the appropriate metallic elements (dust or Samples for the appropriate metallic elements (dust or

fume) are required where metal ores are mined and/or fume) are required where metal ores are mined and/or processed. This includes by products, regardless of processed. This includes by products, regardless of whether they are recovered.whether they are recovered.

Samples for other minerals that have exposure limits of Samples for other minerals that have exposure limits of their own (cristobalite, mica, talc, etc.) are required their own (cristobalite, mica, talc, etc.) are required where such minerals are mined and/or milled.where such minerals are mined and/or milled.

Where process chemicals are used, gases and vapors Where process chemicals are used, gases and vapors associated with the chemical(s) must also be sampled. associated with the chemical(s) must also be sampled. Samples for particulates, toxic gases, andSamples for particulates, toxic gases, and vapors are vapors are required wherever miners are likely to experience required wherever miners are likely to experience significant exposure.significant exposure.

Minimum Sampling Minimum Sampling RequirementsRequirements

The number of employees does not include office The number of employees does not include office workers or workers who “come and go” from the workers or workers who “come and go” from the property; it property; it doesdoes include laborers, maintenance workers, include laborers, maintenance workers, technical and managerial personnel, etc., whose tasks technical and managerial personnel, etc., whose tasks are performed throughout the facility.are performed throughout the facility.

A rank shall be assigned to each mine for respirable A rank shall be assigned to each mine for respirable crystalline silica and for noise. Ranking for other crystalline silica and for noise. Ranking for other contaminants is required when there is an exposure contaminants is required when there is an exposure limit for the mined ore or mineral, its byproducts or limit for the mined ore or mineral, its byproducts or primary process reagents, or whenever the contaminant primary process reagents, or whenever the contaminant meets a criterion in Rank A or B. meets a criterion in Rank A or B.

Workplace SilicosisWorkplace SilicosisPrevention ProgramPrevention Program

Management CommitmentManagement Commitment Exposure MonitoringExposure Monitoring Medical SurveillanceMedical Surveillance Analysis and Evaluation of DataAnalysis and Evaluation of Data Awareness TrainingAwareness Training

Risk AssessmentRisk Assessment

Where are the Potentials for Silica Exposure?Where are the Potentials for Silica Exposure? What Part of the Operation has the Highest What Part of the Operation has the Highest

Potential for Exposure?Potential for Exposure? How and Why are Employees Exposed to Silica?How and Why are Employees Exposed to Silica? What Engineering Controls are In Place?What Engineering Controls are In Place? What Does OSHA or MSHA Data Regarding What Does OSHA or MSHA Data Regarding

Exposure Indicate?Exposure Indicate? What is the Typical Length of Service of What is the Typical Length of Service of

Employees who have the Highest Potential to Employees who have the Highest Potential to be Exposed to Silica?be Exposed to Silica?

Determine if...Determine if... If there is a Real Risk of Silicosis in your CompanyIf there is a Real Risk of Silicosis in your Company Where the Highest Potential for Silica Exposure is Where the Highest Potential for Silica Exposure is

LocatedLocated How many Employees need to be in this Program?How many Employees need to be in this Program? The Effectiveness of Current Engineering ControlsThe Effectiveness of Current Engineering Controls The Contributing Factors that may Affect Employee The Contributing Factors that may Affect Employee

Exposure to SilicaExposure to Silica The Amount of Awareness Training that must be The Amount of Awareness Training that must be

ConductedConducted The Potential for Compensatory Health ClaimsThe Potential for Compensatory Health Claims

Prepare a StrategyPrepare a Strategy

Determine Scope for Exposure Monitoring and Determine Scope for Exposure Monitoring and Medical TestingMedical Testing

Describe a Process Used to Address Out-of-Describe a Process Used to Address Out-of-Compliance ConditionsCompliance Conditions

Develop Pre-Employment Screening ProcessDevelop Pre-Employment Screening Process Develop Awareness Training ModelDevelop Awareness Training Model Develop Accurate Costs of ImplementationDevelop Accurate Costs of Implementation

The BenefitsThe Benefits Increased Awareness and Increased Awareness and

Prevention of Lung Disease Prevention of Lung Disease through Early Detectionthrough Early Detection

Improved Customer, Improved Customer, Employee, and Community Employee, and Community RelationsRelations

Management of Claims under Management of Claims under Workers’ CompensationWorkers’ Compensation

Improved Compliance with Improved Compliance with State and Federal State and Federal RegulationsRegulations

Improved Production and Improved Production and Cost Efficiency of OperationCost Efficiency of Operation

Where Can You Get More Where Can You Get More InformationInformation

on Preventing Silicosis?on Preventing Silicosis?

Call 1-800-35-NIOSH. Select option 2, then option 5 Call 1-800-35-NIOSH. Select option 2, then option 5 for a complete package of information on silicosis for a complete package of information on silicosis prevention.prevention.

For free help in establishing or improving your safety For free help in establishing or improving your safety and health program, small businesses can contact and health program, small businesses can contact the OSHA Consultation Program in their state or the OSHA Consultation Program in their state or contact the Small Business Administration at contact the Small Business Administration at

1-800-REG-FAIR (734-3247) or www.sba.gov/regfair1-800-REG-FAIR (734-3247) or www.sba.gov/regfair Contact the Mine Health and Safety Academy in Contact the Mine Health and Safety Academy in

Beckley, West Virginia at (304) 256-3257 or them atBeckley, West Virginia at (304) 256-3257 or them at

(304) 256-3368 (fax). (304) 256-3368 (fax).