Risk assessment for working road constructionsilica in CA

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Definitions (cont.) WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT B.C. Reg. 296/97 # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 6 - Substance Specific Requirements (c) the smoothing of metal castings where freeing is done; "control measures" include the measures set out in section 6.112.2; "dust reduction system" means the following, alone or in combination: (a) the use of a process or material that prevents the creation of RCS dust; (b) the use of an enclosure, including a blasting enclosure, to (i) contain RCS dust, or (ii) physically separate a worker from a source of RCS dust; (c) the use of local exhaust ventilation, being a system of ventilation designed to capture and remove process emissions or RCS dust before the emissions or dust escapes into the workplace environment; (d) the use of wet systems, being (i) the use of water or another liquid to increase moisture content in material to prevent RCS dust from becoming airborne, or (ii) the addition of moisture to the air to capture RCS dust particles that are already airborne; "exposure limit" means the applicable exposure limit as referred to in section 5.48; "exposure monitoring" means air monitoring conducted in accordance with section 5.53 (4) or 6.112.3; "RCS dust" means any of the following that can be deposited in the lower gas exchange regions of the lung when inhaled: (a) respirable crystalline silica; (b) respirable α-quartz; (c) respirable cristobalite; "risk assessment" means a written risk assessment conducted in accordance with section 6.112; "sandblasting" means an abrasive blasting process that uses silica sand as an abrasive; "silica flour" means the fine powder produced by the crushing, grinding or ball milling of a siliceous substance; "silica process" means the following processes, as well as any other process that may result in the release of RCS dust in concentrations likely to exceed the exposure limit: (a)…

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION # Part 6 - Substance Specific Requirements (d) blasting, cutting, crushing, drilling, grinding, milling, scaling, splitting or sieving, or other mechanical pulverizing or shattering, of rock, siliceous stone or gravel; (e) concrete or asphalt milling, shotcreting, pneumatic drilling, tunnelling or other large-scale mechanical processes that may generate RCS dust; (f) using heavy equipment or pneumatics to transfer sand, earth, aggregate or other material that contains silica, and associated transport, recycling and disposal operations; (g) a process in which silica flour is used, including using it as an additive in product manufacturing; (h) manufacturing, dismantling, demolishing or repairing of concrete, masonry or other material that contains silica; (i) using power tools or equipment to abrade, cut, grind, core or drill concrete, masonry or other material that contains silica; "siliceous" means any group of sedimentary rocks that consist largely or almost entirely of silicon dioxide (SiO2), including diatomite. (2) In this section, a reference to concrete, masonry or other material refers to a hard stone-like building material made (a) of clay, or (b) by mixing, with water or another liquid, (i) cement, or (ii) a combination of cement, sand, gravel, broken stone or another aggregate. [en. B.C. Reg. 9/2017, App. G, S. 2.] ## Application - 6.111 Sections 6.112 to 6.112.7 apply to a workplace where a worker is or may be (a) engaged in a silica process, or ## Risk assessment (b) exposed to potentially harmful levels of RCS dust. [en. B.C. Reg. 9/2017, App. G, S. 2.] - 6.112 (1) In this section, "existing monitoring data" means data (a) gathered under section 5.53 or 6.112.3, or (b) as described in section 6.112.4 (2) (b). (2) An employer must not permit workers to engage in a work…

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Additive effects (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION # Part 5 - Chemical Agents and Biological Agents where (a) AE is the calculated additive exposure to the mixture, (b) % EL₁ is the measured exposure to component 1 of the mixture expressed as a percentage of its exposure limit, (c) %EL₂ is the measured exposure to component 2 of the mixture expressed as a percentage of its exposure limit, and (d) %ELₙ is the measured exposure to any additional components of the mixture expressed as a percentage of their respective exposure limits. [en. B.C. Reg. 315/2003, App. A, S. 7.] ## Skin designation 5.52 If skin absorption may contribute to the overall exposure, effective measures must be taken to limit exposure by this route. ## Workplace monitoring - 5.53 (1) If a worker is or may be exposed to a hazardous substance, the employer must ensure that (a) a walkthrough survey is conducted to assess the potential for overexposure taking into account all routes of exposure, including inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, and (b) reassessment is conducted when there is a change in work conditions which may increase the exposure, such as a change in production rate, process or equipment. (2) If the walkthrough survey required by subsection (1) reveals that a worker may be at risk of overexposure to an airborne contaminant, the employer must ensure that air sampling is conducted to assess the potential for overexposure. (3) Additional workplace monitoring to reliably determine worker exposure is required if (a) the assessment under subsection (2) reveals that a worker may be exposed to an air contaminant in excess of 50% of its exposure limit, or (b) measurement is not possible at 50% of the applicable exposure limit. (4) Workplace exposure monitoring and assessment must be conducted using occupational hygiene methods acceptable to the …

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# WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Risk assessment (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 12 - Tools, Machinery and Equipment ## Work procedures outside a cabinet 12.99 If abrasive blasting, high pressure washing or a similar operation is conducted by a worker outside a cabinet, written safe work procedures addressing the hazards and necessary controls must be prepared and implemented by the employer. ## Substitution 12.100 Abrasive blasting materials containing crystalline silica must be replaced with less toxic materials, when practicable. ## Reuse prohibition - 12.101 (1) An abrasive material must not be reused if it (a) contains crystalline silica, or (b) becomes contaminated with any harmful impurities including metals such as lead, chromium, nickel or mercury. (2) The requirements of subsection (1) do not apply to a fully enclosed, vented cabinet designed to recirculate the abrasive material. ## Cleanup - 12.102 (1) Used abrasive blasting materials which contain a substance designated under section 5.57 must be removed from the work area by using effective procedures designed to minimize the generation of airborne dust, and suitable personal protective equipment. (2) Removal under subsection (1) must take place by the end of each shift unless (a) a risk assessment establishes that the risks from removal will exceed the risks from leaving the materials in place, (b) no workers will be exposed to the materials before removal occurs, or (c) the materials cannot be separated from the environment in which the abrasive blasting takes place. (3) If removal is delayed pursuant to subsection (2), the employer must assess the risks arising from delaying the removal and develop safe work procedures. (4) The work procedures developed under subsection (3) must be in writing. [en. B.C. Reg. 253/2001, S. 8.] ## Engineering controls…

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Exposure control plan (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 6 - Substance Specific Requirements (a) ensure that a qualified person develops an exposure control plan meeting the requirements of sections 5.54 and 5.57 (2), and of subsection (3) of this section, and (b) implement the exposure control plan. (2) If a risk assessment is changed under section 6.112(6), the employer must ensure that (a) the exposure control plan is amended to address the changes to the risk assessment, and (b) the amendments to the exposure control plan are implemented. (3) For the purposes of section 5.54 (2) (d), the written work procedures within an exposure control plan must address at least the following: (a) the containment of silica processes, if used as a control measure; (b) the effective control of worker exposure to RCS dust using dust reduction systems; (c) safe work practices and procedures; (d) the correct selection, use, care and maintenance of any required personal protective equipment and clothing; (e) emergency procedures; (f) the removal, cleanup and disposal of RCS dust and debris, including the measures that will be used for the purposes of meeting the requirements of section 6.112.6. [en. B.C. Reg. 9/2017, App. G, S. 2.] ## Elimination or control of exposure - 6.112.2 (1) An employer must, to the extent practicable, avoid the use of products or materials containing crystalline silica by replacing them with substances or processes that, under normal conditions of use, eliminate the risk of worker exposure to RCS dust. (2) If it is not practicable to eliminate the risk of worker exposure to RCS dust, the employer must control the risk below the applicable exposure limit under section 5.48 by applying control measures that (a) are appropriate to the work activity, (b) are consistent with the risk assessment and with se…

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Risk assessment (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 18 - Traffic Control (a) determine that the emergent work or brief duration work can be performed safely in less than 5 minutes or 15 minutes or less, respectively, (b) develop written work procedures applicable to the emergent work or brief duration work, including specifying (i) the temporary traffic control devices and layouts required, if applicable, and (ii) instructions and procedures to follow when a worker encounters an unanticipated occurrence that prevents the work from being completed in the time allocated, and (c) require workers to follow the written work procedures described in paragraph (b). (3) An employer responsible for short duration work or long duration work must ensure that the risk assessment is in writing and includes consideration of at least the following: (a) work duration and time of day the work activity is scheduled to occur; (b) whether the nature of the work activity is expected to create a hazard; (c) whether any of the following is expected to create a risk of worker injury: (i) traffic volume; (ii) lines of sight; (iii) vehicles travelling at the posted speed limits; (iv) configuration of the work zone, including the number of lanes and lane widths; (v) equipment movement and storage; (d) environmental conditions or hazards that could present a risk to workers during the installation or removal of temporary traffic control devices, including (i) avalanche or rock fall areas, (ii) overhead structures, and (iii) roadway surface conditions; (e) coordination of overlapping work activities; (f) any other reasonably foreseeable hazard; (g) whether traffic control persons are required, and, if so, (i) the availability of escape routes for those traffic control persons, (ii) environmental conditions or hazards, …

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# Part 6 - Substance Specific Requirements (cont.) ## Risk assessment (cont.) WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT B.C. Reg. 296/97 # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 6 - Substance Specific Requirements (b) any information contained on a label or in a safety data sheet provided by a supplier, manufacturer or employer in respect of (i) the crystalline silica content in the materials to be used in the silica process, and (ii) the health effects of RCS dust exposure; (c) the scope, circumstances and nature of the work activity or silica process, including (i) whether section 5.50 applies, given the length of a shift, (ii) any changes between shifts in the scope, circumstances or nature of the work activity or silica process, and (iii) the potential level and duration of exposure to RCS dust during the work activity or while engaging in the silica process; (d) the effectiveness of existing and planned control measures, as determined through exposure monitoring, to prevent or minimize worker exposure to RCS dust, including with respect to access to the workplace by unprotected workers; (e) any additional information the employer needs to complete the risk assessment. (4) A qualified person may rely on existing monitoring data for the purpose of assessing control measures under subsection (3) (d) only if it is reasonable to do SO based on (a) the relevance of the existing monitoring data, and (b) whether additional air monitoring may be needed to reassess the effec- tiveness of existing and planned control measures because of changes in personnel or to the scope, circumstances or nature of the work activity or silica process. (5) An employer must ensure that the risk assessment is reviewed by a qualified person if any of the following occur: (a) there is reason to believe the risk assessment is no longer valid; (b) there has been a significant change in the scope, nature or circumstances of the work activity or silica process to whi…

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Elimination or control of exposure (cont.) WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT B.C. Reg. 296/97 # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 6 - Substance Specific Requirements (iii) if the control measures set out in paragraphs (i) and (ii) are not adequate to control exposure, the provision and use of suitable personal protective equipment in addition to those control measures. [en. B.C. Reg. 9/2017, App. G, S. 2.] ## Air monitoring for RCS dust - 6.112.3 (1) If there is a potential for hazardous exposure to RCS dust in a work activity or silica process, the employer must (a) ensure that air monitoring is conducted using a sampling and analytical method referred to in subsection (2) (i) during the first shift of the work activity or silica process, and (ii) as necessary throughout the work activity or silica process to ensure that control measures are effective to prevent or minimize worker exposure to RCS dust, and (b) keep, for at least 10 years, records of the results of air monitoring conducted under this section. (2) Acceptable sampling and analytical methods for the purpose of subsection (1) are as follows: (a) a method detailed in a standard occupational hygiene reference published by (i) the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, or (ii) the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; (b) another method acceptable to the Board. [en. B.C. Reg. 9/2017, App. G, S. 2.] ## Exceptions to monitoring requirement - 6.112.4 (1) In this section, "equivalent work operations" means work operations closely matching the silica processes, types of materials, work practices, control measures and environmental conditions prevailing in the employer's current work operations. (2) Despite section 6.112.3, an employer is not required to monitor the exposure of workers to RCS dust if a qualified person determines that (a) existing control measures are effective in keep…

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# OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (cont.) ## Exceptions to monitoring requirement (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION # Part 6 - Substance Specific Requirements scientific studies that use sampling and analytical methods referred to in section 6.112.3 (2). (3) An employer must keep, for at least 10 years, a record documenting the following, as applicable: (a) the previous monitoring data used for the purpose of subsection (2) (b) (i); (b) the source of the objective air monitoring data, and the data itself, referred to in subsection (2) (b) (ii). [en. B.C. Reg. 9/2017, App. G, S. 2.] ## Blasting enclosures 6.112.5 An employer must ensure that a blasting enclosure is used for the following activities only: (a) abrasive blasting; (b) maintenance of the blasting enclosure and all associated equipment, including ventilation and blasting equipment. [en. B.C. Reg. 9/2017, App. G, S. 2.] ## Housekeeping - 6.112.6 (1) In addition to the requirements of section 5.82 (2), an employer must ensure that all of the following requirements are met: (a) all workplaces and work-related areas and equipment where RCS dust may accumulate must be cleaned at the end of every shift, if practicable, using one or a combination of (i) a vacuum or similar device, (ii) wet cleanup methods, or (iii) another method that is effective and in accordance with the safe work practices contained in the exposure control plan; (b) if a vacuum or similar device is used, the vacuum or device must be (i) designed, maintained, tested and used in accordance with (A) the manufacturer's specifications, or (B) the instructions of a professional engineer, and (ii) equipped with an effective HEPA filter on the exhaust; (c) if wet cleanup methods are used, any slurry generated by those methods must be removed when the work is completed in such as manner as to avoid a secondary RCS dust expos…

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# General Requirements (cont.) ## Definitions (cont.) WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT Part 18 - Traffic Control # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION B.C. Reg. 296/97 "traffic control plan" means a workplace-specific plan that documents how traffic control is to be achieved, including (a) a combination of text, layouts and, if required, drawings that describe specifically the traffic control measures and devices that will be provided to mitigate the risks from hazards identified in the risk assessment, (b) how the traffic control measures are to be implemented, and (c) on what schedule the traffic control measures are to be implemented; "Traffic Management Manual" means the latest edition of the Traffic Management Manual for Work on Roadways issued by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure; "work zone" means an area where a worker is or may be exposed to a moving vehicle, with the exception of (a) a parking lot, and (b) a roadway terminus used for vehicle holding prior to boarding a vessel. [en. B.C. Reg. 242/2006, S. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 222/2021, App. D, S. 1.] ## Employer responsibility 18.2 The employer must ensure that effective traffic control is provided and implemented whenever traffic could be hazardous to a worker. [en. B.C. Reg. 242/2006, S. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 222/2021, App. D, S. 2.] ## Standards for traffic control 18.3 (1) The Traffic Management Manual applies to all work zones. (2) An employer must ensure that traffic control equipment, arrangements or layouts and procedures, to the extent practicable, meet the requirements of the Traffic Management Manual unless otherwise specified in this Regulation or in the Act. [en. B.C. Reg. 222/2021, App. D, S. 3.] ## Risk assessment - 18.3.1 (1) An employer must not permit workers to engage in a work activity that may expose workers to traffic unless a risk assessment has first been completed by a qualified person and the risk assessment (a) meets the requirements of subsection…

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# Part 5 - Chemical Agents and Biological Agents (cont.) ## Exposure control plan (cont.) WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT B.C. Reg. 296/97 # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 5 - Chemical Agents and Biological Agents (a) exposure monitoring under section 5.53 (3) indicates that a worker is or may be exposed to an air contaminant in excess of 50% of its exposure limit, (b) measurement is not possible at 50% of the applicable exposure limit, or (c) otherwise required by this Regulation. (2) The exposure control plan must incorporate the following elements: (a) a statement of purpose and responsibilities; (b) risk identification, assessment and control; (c) education and training; (d) written work procedures, when required; (e) hygiene facilities and decontamination procedures, when required; (f) health monitoring, when required; (g) documentation, when required. (3) The plan must be reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary by the employer, in consultation with the joint committee or the worker health and safety representative, as applicable. [am. B.C. Reg. 185/99, S. 39.] ## Type of controls - 5.55 (1) If there is a risk to a worker from exposure to a hazardous substance by any route of exposure, the employer must eliminate the exposure, or otherwise control it below harmful levels and below the applicable exposure limit established under section 5.48 by (a) substitution, (b) engineering control, (c) administrative control, or (d) personal protective equipment. (2) When selecting a suitable substitute, the employer must ensure that the hazards of the substitute are known, and that the risk to workers is reduced by its use. (3) The use of personal protective equipment as the primary means to control exposure is permitted only when (a) substitution, or engineering or administrative controls are not practicable, or (b) additional protection is required because engineering or administrative controls are i…

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# PART 8 - PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT (cont.) ## Responsibility to provide (cont.) B.C. Reg. 296/97 WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT # OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION Part 8 - Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment ## Selection, use and maintenance - 8.3 (1) Personal protective equipment must (a) be selected and used in accordance with the recognized standards, and provide effective protection, (b) not in itself create a hazard to the wearer, (c) be compatible, so that one item of personal protective equipment does not make another item ineffective, and (d) be maintained in good working order and in a sanitary condition. (2) If the use of personal protective equipment creates hazards equal to or greater than those its use is intended to prevent, alternative personal protective equipment must be used or other appropriate measures must be taken. [am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. B, S. 10.] ## Workplace evaluation 8.4 If an evaluation of workplace conditions is required to determine appropriate personal protective equipment, the evaluation, where practicable, must be done in consultation with the joint committee or the worker health and safety representative, as applicable, and with the worker who will use the equipment. [am. B.C. Reg. 185/99, S. 49.] ## Program 8.5 If personal protective equipment is required to protect against a chemical exposure or an oxygen deficient atmosphere the employer must implement an effective protective equipment program at the workplace which includes (a) a statement of purpose and responsibilities, (b) written procedures for selection, use, inspection, cleaning, maintenance and storage of protective equipment, when required, (c) instruction and training in the correct use and maintenance of the equipment, (d) for respirators, medical assessment of respirator wearers, when required, (e) documentation when required, and (f) program review. [am. B.C. Reg. 312/2010, App. G, S. 6.] ## Annual…