Industrial Hygiene Resources to Protect Workers and Prevent New Cases of Silicosis

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes silicosis as a spectrum of lung diseases caused by the inhalation of free crystalline silica. Silicosis is incurable and can lead to disability and death.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines crystalline silica as a common mineral found in the earth’s crust. Materials like sand, stone, concrete, and mortar contain it. It is also used to make products such as glass, pottery, ceramics, bricks, and artificial stone.

OSHA goes on to share that respirable crystalline silica are very small particles, at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand. It is created when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar. Activities such as abrasive blasting with sand; sawing brick or concrete; sanding or drilling into concrete walls; grinding mortar; manufacturing brick, concrete blocks, stone countertops, or ceramic products; and cutting or crushing stone can result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust.

“We know so much about the mechanisms of silica exposure and tools for prevention of silicosis, yet some 2.3 million people in the U.S. are still exposed to silica on the job, according to OSHA,” said Derrick A. Denis, Senior Vice President for Clark Seif Clark. “Preventing people from dying early is the main reason I am in the field of industrial hygiene. Silicosis is by-and-large a preventable disease. Simply with appropriate training, alternative work practices, dust control measures, and PPE we can reduce the incidence of silicosis and protect life and health. These exposure prevention options will not get implemented without buy-in from management and a culture of worker safety. OSHA has issued two respirable crystalline silica standards: one for construction, and the other for general industry and maritime. These standards should be on the radar of every business owner so they can be in compliance and so they can protect their team members.”

To safeguard workers from these types of exposure risks, the industrial hygiene professionals at CSC provide occupational testing and monitoring for crystalline silica and a wide range of other respirable hazards. They also offer worksite assessments that involve evaluating engineering controls, personal protective equipment training, and employee hazard communication training to mitigate these types of risks. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about exposure risks for developing silicosis that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/a9Hn2lxrJBE

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com, or call 800-807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC)
Since 1996, CSC has helped clients in both the public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational health, and environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers, and real estate professionals.

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Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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