Hi Toxicity Alert! An OSHA Article Publication Focusing On Integration Of Information On Crystalline Silica Dust!.

Hi Toxicity Alert!  An OSHA Article 

Publication Focusing On Integration Of 

Information On Crystalline Silica Dust!.

Hi; What is Crystalline Silica?

Respirable crystalline silica – very small particles at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand you might encounter on beaches and playgrounds – is created during work operations involving stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, mortar, and industrial sand. Exposures to respirable crystalline silica can occur when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing these materials. These exposures are common in brick, concrete, and pottery manufacturing operations, as well as during operations using industrial sand products, such as in foundries, sand blasting, and hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations in the oil and gas industry.

OSHA Forms Alliance with Georgia Organizations to Reduce Worker Exposure to Silica in the Construction Industry.

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Source: U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA); Click Link Here To Visit Publisher Source Website. 

Publication Date: April 15, 2014.

Alliance signing ceremony held April 15 in Atlanta

ATLANTA -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has formed an alliance with several organizations in Atlanta to provide employers and workers in the construction industry with information, guidance and training to prevent overexposure to Crystalline Silica Dust.

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The agreement was signed by OSHA, the Georgia Tech Research Institute's Occupational Safety and Health Division, Brasfield & Gorrie LLC, the Georgia Local Section of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers on Tuesday, April 15.

'This alliance demonstrates the proactive commitment of federal, state and other partners to protect the safety and health of workers in the construction industry,' said Teresa Harrison, OSHA's acting regional administrator in Atlanta.

Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica particles has long been known to cause silicosis, a disabling, non-reversible and sometimes fatal lung disease. Leading scientific organizations, including the American Cancer Society, have also confirmed the causal relationship between silica and lung cancer.

Occupational exposure to crystalline silica often occurs as part of common workplace operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling and crushing of concrete, brick, block, rock and stone products. Processes historically associated with high rates of silicosis include sandblasting, sand-casting foundry operations, mining, tunneling, cement cutting and demolition, masonry work, and granite cutting.

OSHA has recently proposed to update its current silica standard. Published in the Federal Register on Sept. 12, 2013, OSHA's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica aims to update the inconsistent and outdated permissible exposure limits for crystalline silica in general industry, construction and shipyards, as well as to establish other provisions to better protect workers. 

OSHA just concluded three weeks of hearings on the proposed rule and is now receiving post-hearing comments. 

Additional information on the proposed rule, including five fact sheets, is available at the OSHA Homepage By Clicking The Image Below;

The OSHA Fact Sheets are also available for download by clicking the link(s) below according to your selection; On Controlling Exposures in Construction While:

• Operating Handheld Masonry Saws [459 KB PDF*, 2 pages].
• Operating Stationary Masonry Saws [638 KB PDF*, 2 pages].
• Operating Handheld Grinders [374 KB PDF*, 2 pages].
• Operating Rotary Hammers [420 KB PDF*, 2 pages].
• Operating Vehicle Mounted Rock Drills [ 869 KB PDF*, 2 pages ].
• Jackhammering [456 KB PDF*, 2 pages].
• Tuckpointing/Mortar Removal [480 KB PDF*, 2 pages].

Companies and groups interested in learning more about OSHA's activities to improve employee safety and health may contact OSHA's representatives.

Through its Alliance Program, OSHA works with unions, consulates, trade and professional organizations, faith and community-based organizations, businesses and educational institutions to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. The purpose of each alliance is to develop compliance assistance tools and resources and to educate workers and employers about their rights and responsibilities. 

Alliance Program participants do not receive exemptions from OSHA inspections. For more information on the program, visit the Alliance Program homepage by clicking here or the image below.

"Exposure to silica can be deadly, and limiting that exposure is essential. Every year, many exposed workers not only lose their ability to work, but also to breathe. This proposal is expected to prevent thousands of deaths from silicosis – an incurable and progressive disease – as well as lung cancer, other respiratory diseases, and kidney disease. Workers affected by silica are fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers lost to entirely preventable illnesses. We're looking forward to public comment on the proposal."

- Dr. David Michaels Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.

"Without proper engineering controls, workers can be exposed to harmful levels of respirable crystalline silica that can cause silicosis, lung cancer, and other lung and kidney diseases (below).";

Applying water to a saw blade when cutting materials that contain crystalline silica — such as stone, rock, concrete, brick, and block — substantially reduces the amount of dust created during these operations (below).";

"The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is pleased to join with Dr. Michaels and our partners in labor and industry in OSHA's announcement of the notice of proposed rulemaking on occupational exposure to crystalline silica. NIOSH has a long history of research and recommendations on preventing worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Ensuring the health and safety of all workers is an important part of ensuring a strong economy and future economic growth."

- Dr. John Howard Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

- "Contractors adopt innovative concrete drill jig to reduce silica exposures during concrete drilling operations". Click Link Here To View Original Source Publication & Read More.

This 1938 video YouTube format below features former Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins (1933-1945), and describes both the hazards associated with silica exposure and the U.S. Department of Labor's early efforts to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women. Although tremendous progress has been made since this video was produced, evidence indicates that a substantial number of workers still suffer from silica-related diseases.

1938 "Stop Silicosis" Video

Visit OSHA Crystalline Silica Rulemaking Homepage To View The Source Of All This Information Gathered & Presented Here & To Obtain Further Details & Information & Gain Access To Documents Available & Browse The Article Source Archive & View Video's Available For Further Content & Information Accessibility.