Concrete dust inhalents

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OSHA FactSheet CONTROL SILICA DUST Breathe Easier # OSHA's Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction Workers who are exposed to respirable crystalline silica dust are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases. OSHA's standard requires employers to take steps to protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica. ## What is Respirable Crystalline Silica? Crystalline silica is a common mineral that is found in construction materials such as sand, stone, concrete, brick, and mortar. When workers cut, grind, drill, or crush materials that contain crystalline silica, very small dust particles are created. These tiny particles (known as "respirable" particles) can travel deep into workers' lungs and cause silicosis, an incurable and sometimes deadly lung disease. Respirable crystalline silica also causes lung cancer, other potentially debilitating respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease. In most cases, these diseases occur after years of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. ## How are Construction Workers Exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica? Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can occur during common construction tasks, such as using masonry saws, grinders, drills, jackhammers and handheld powered chipping tools; operating vehicle- mounted drilling rigs; milling; operating crushing machines; using heavy equipment for demolition or certain other tasks; and during abrasive blasting and tunneling operations. About two million construction workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in over 600,000 workplaces. ## What Does the Standard Require? The standard (29 CFR 1926.1153) requires employers to limit worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica and to take other steps to protect workers. Employers can either use a control method laid out in Table 1 of the construction standard, or they can measure workers' exposure to silica and independen…

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OSHA FactSheet CONTROL SILICA DUST Breathe Easier # CONTROL OF SILICA DUST IN CONSTRUCTION Handheld and Stand-Mounted Drills The use of handheld and stand-mounted drills, impact and rotary hammer drills, and similar tools used to drill holes in concrete, masonry, or other silica- containing materials can generate respirable crystalline silica dust. When inhaled over time, the small particles of silica can irreversibly damage the lungs. This fact sheet describes dust controls that can be used to minimize the amount of airborne dust when using handheld and stand-mounted drills as listed in Table 1 of the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction, 29 CFR 1926.1153. ## Engineering Control Method: Vacuum Dust Collection System ## Vacuum Dust Collection System (VDCS) When using handheld or stand mounted drills to drill into concrete or other materials that contain crystalline silica, reduce exposure to silica dust by enclosing the drill in a commercially available shroud or cowling with a vacuum attached to capture the silica dust as it is generated around the drill bit. A VDCS is commercially available in a variety of designs that include a dust collection device (shroud or cowling), vacuum, hose, filter, and filter-cleaning mechanism. These systems are typically available integrated into the tools or as add-on systems. The VDCS must be equipped with a: • Shroud or cowling sized to fit around the drill bit that is compatible with the manufacturer's vacuum system; . Vacuum that is rated to provide the airflow recommended by the tool manufacturer or greater to remove dust at the drilling point; and • Air filter with a 99 percent or greater efficiency and a filter cleaning mechanism. The drill and VDCS must be operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions. Focus on the following areas: • Keep the vacuum hose clear and free of debris, kinks and tight bends. • Activate any non-automatic filte…

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OSHA FactSheet CONTROL SILICA DUST Breathe Easier # CONTROL OF SILICA DUST IN CONSTRUCTION ## Drivable Saws Using a drivable saw to cut masonry, concrete, stone, or other silica-containing materials can generate respirable crystalline silica dust. When inhaled, the small particles of silica can irreversibly damage the lungs. This fact sheet describes dust controls that can be used to minimize the amount of airborne dust when using drivable saws as listed in Table 1 of the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction, 29 CFR 1926.1153. Engineering Control Method: Water continuously fed to saw blade ## Wet Cutting Wet cutting is an effective method to reduce exposure to silica dust when outdoors using drivable saws equipped with an integrated water delivery system. This system directs a continuous stream of water onto the blade where it wets the materials being cut and reduces the amount of dust generated. These saws have built-in water tanks, or water is supplied to the saw from a source such as a hose connected to a faucet or portable tank. Water flow rates must be sufficient to minimize the release of visible dust. A construction worker cutting pavement using a drivable saw with an integrated water delivery system. The saw must be operated and maintained in accordance with manufacturers' instructions to minimize dust emissions. Focus on the following areas: • Check that hoses are securely connected and are not cracked or broken. . Adjust nozzles so that water goes to the blade and wets the cutting area. . Inspect the saw blade before use to be sure it is in good condition and does not show excessive wear. Clean up any slurry produced during wet cutting to prevent the slurry from drying and releasing silica dust into the air. Wet slurry can be cleaned up using shovels or a wet vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. If employers operate drivable saws indoors or in an enclosed area, they must conduct an exposure assessment and may need to take…

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# Concrete Repair Safety Data Sheet according to the Hazard Communication Standard (CFR29 1910.1200) HazCom 2012. <table><tr><th colspan="2">Quartz ([redacted postal code]-60-7)</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2">USA - ACGIH - Occupational Exposure Limits</td></tr><tr><td>ACGIH OEL TWA</td><td>0.025 mg/m3 (respirable particulate matter)</td></tr><tr><td>ACGIH chemical category</td><td>Suspected Human Carcinogen</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2">USA - OSHA - Occupational Exposure Limits</td></tr><tr><td>Local name</td><td>Quartz (Total Dust) (Silica: Crystalline)</td></tr><tr><td>OSHA PEL (TWA) [1]</td><td>50 µg/m3 (Respirable crystalline silica)</td></tr><tr><td>Remark (OSHA)</td><td>Table Z-3. For OSHA PEL (TWA) use formula: (30 mg/m3 / (%SiO2+2)) for mg/m3. CAS No. source: eCFR Table Z-1.</td></tr><tr><td>Regulatory reference (US-OSHA)</td><td>OSHA Annotated Table Z-3 Mineral Dusts</td></tr></table> ## 8.2. Appropriate engineering controls <table><tr><th>Appropriate engineering controls</th><th>: Ensure good ventilation of the work station.</th></tr><tr><td>Environmental exposure controls</td><td>: Avoid release to the environment.</td></tr></table> ## 8.3. Individual protection measures/Personal protective equipment Hand protection: Wear suitable waterproof gloves ## Eye protection: Wear approved eye protection (properly fitted dust- or splash-proof chemical safety goggles) and face protection (face shield). Skin and body protection: Wear suitable waterproof protective clothing ## Respiratory protection: A NIOSH approved dust mask or filtering facepiece is recommended in poorly ventilated areas or when permissible exposure limits may be exceeded. Respirators should be selected by and used under the direction of a trained health and safety professional following requirements found in OSHA's respirator standard (29 CFR 1910.134) and ANSI's standard for respiratory protection (Z88.2). ## Other information: Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and s…

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# CONTROL OF SILICA DUST IN CONSTRUCTION Handheld and Stand-Mounted Drills (cont.) ## Indoors or in Enclosed Areas Using a VDCS indoors or in enclosed areas may not reliably keep silica exposures low, so extra ventilation may be needed to reduce visible airborne dust. Extra ventilation can be supplied by using: - Exhaust trunks - Portable exhaust fans • Air ducts . Other means of mechanical ventilation Ensure air flow is not impeded by the movements of employees during work, or by the opening or closing of doors and windows. Position the ventilation to move contaminated air away from the workers' breathing zones. Compressed Air. Unless there is a ventilation system that effectively captures the dust cloud, do not use compressed air or blowers to clean surfaces, clothing or filters because it can increase exposure to silica. Instead, clean with a HEPA-filter equipped vacuum or by wet methods. Photo courtesy of the University of California, Berkeley (D. Rempel) Worker drilling horizontal holes in a concrete wall using two stand-mounted drills equipped with two dust collectors. Note that the shrouds around drill bits, black hose, and dust collector are attached conveniently to the stand. ## Respiratory Protection When properly used, a VDCS can reduce airborne dust levels to below the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m³, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Therefore, respiratory protection is not required when using drills equipped with a VDCS and a filter cleaning mechanism as specified earlier. ## Additional Information For more information, visit www.osha.gov/silica and see the OSHA Fact Sheet on the Crystalline Silica Rule for Construction, and the Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction. OSHA can provide compliance assistance through a variety of programs, including technical assistance about effective safety and health programs, workplace consultations, and training and educ…