11006131/0306 copyright © 2003 business & legal reports, inc. blr's safety training...

11006131/0306 Copyright © 2003 Business & Legal Reports, Inc.

BLR's Safety Training Presentations

Silicosis Prevention


Silicosis Kills

It is disabling, nonreversible, and sometimes fatal

250 American workers die each year 1 million workers are exposed to silica 100,000 have a high risk of silicosis


Goals

How crystalline silica contributes to silicosis Prevention measures Quiz


What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a lung disease Caused by breathing

dust containing silica Lungs become scarred

and stiffened Breathing becomes

difficult Risk of heart disease

and tuberculosis is increased


Types of Silica

Crystalline silica, or free silica—Quartz,

tridymite, cristobalite

—Abundant in the earth’s crust

Amorphous silica—Not in the form of a crystal

—Does not cause silicosis


Normal Dust

Particles are generated by work processes Any airborne dust can be a hazard Nonvisible particles go deep into lungs Large particles are removed by mucous Pneumoconiosis may occur in dusty conditions


Workers Unaware of the Hazard

Chemically inert Crystalline silica mislabeled

as amorphous silica Not labeled at all Naturally occurring


At-risk Industries for Silicosis

Mining through sandstone and granite Construction—sandblasting, jack hammering,

tunneling Stone cutting Foundry work—

molding, shakeout Portland cement

production


At-risk Industries for Silicosis (cont.)

Glass manufacturing Ceramics, clay, and pottery Abrasive cleaning

or sand blasting Manufacturing paints,

plastics, soaps, and abrasives

Electronics industry Filtration of food and beverages


Silica Exposure

Acute exposure Chronic exposure Concentration, duration, and particle size Report symptoms immediately No cure


Chronic Silicosis

20 to 45 years to develop Exposure to dust with 10 percent silica No symptoms for 20 years Shortness of breath, cough, fever Bluish lips or ear lobes Loss of appetite, chest pain Ability to breathe destroyed


Accelerated Silicosis

Results from shorter exposure at higher concentration

Develops within 5 to 15 years

Detectable by X-ray after one exposure

Progresses even after removal from exposure

Leads to massive fibrosis and death


Acute Silicosis

Develops after one to three years

Overwhelming concentration of silica

Symptoms after only seven months

Cough, weight loss, fatigue

Liquid in alveoli Fatal within two years


Goals

How crystalline silica contribute to silicosis Prevention measures Quiz


Precautions and Prevention

Severity of silicosis related to amount of dust in lungs

Limit the amount of dust workers breathe Implement engineering controls Follow safe work practices Use respiratory protection


Silica Control Program

Inspect work area Review MSDS Monitor worker exposure levels Substitute other materials


Sampling and Monitoring

Sampling program Full-shift respirable dust samples Personal samples Area samples Gravimetric dust collection


Engineering Controls

Use ventilation and dust control systems Isolate silica dust work processes Suppress dust with moisture


Ventilation

General ventilation systems Local exhaust ventilation Inspection every three months Inspection when process changes Industrial hygiene surveys


Safe Work Practices

Store silica in sealed containers Break caked silica loose by vibrating outside

of closed container Follow confined space entry procedures Don’t let dust accumulate Vacuum dust Do not blow with compressed air


Personal Hygiene

Change into disposable or washable work clothes

Vacuum work clothes Take a shower Put on clean street clothes Wash hands before eating,

drinking, smoking


Respiratory Controls

Wear a respirator:—When dust exposure

exceeds standard—Engineering controls

not effective—Emergencies

Respirator failure exposes worker Use air-purifying respirator <10 times PEL Use air-supplied respirator >10 times PEL


First Aid

No first aid for inhalation of silica Get fresh air Wash eyes See a doctor


Medical Surveillance

Exposure above the PEL Physical exam including:

—Chest X-ray

—Pulmonary function

—Evaluation for tuberculosis Frequency determined by doctor Symptoms found early


Goals

How crystalline silica contribute to silicosis Prevention measures Quiz


Summary

Know which work exposes you to silica Use engineering controls Follow good work practices Practice good personal hygiene Wear respirators Stop smoking


Quiz

1. Name a type of soil in which silica is very common.

2. What does silica dust do to the lungs?

3. What type of construction work is at risk for silicosis?

4. How long can it take symptoms of chronic silicosis to appear?

5. What is one of the first symptoms of silicosis?


Quiz (cont.)

6. Name a type of engineering control used to prevent silica exposure.

7. What type of ventilation is more effective — general or local?

8. What is the cure for silicosis?

9. What does the medical surveillance program include?

10. Describe some good personal hygiene practices.


Quiz Answers

1. Sandstone, granite

2. Causes fibrosis, or stiffening and hardeningof the lungs

3. Sandblasting, jack hammering, rock drilling, concrete mixing, concrete cutting, etc.

4. Up to 20 years

5. Difficulty breathing


Quiz Answers (cont.)

6. Ventilation, isolation of silica processes, suppressing dust with moisture

7. Local ventilation

8. There is none

9. Physical exam, chest X-ray, pulmonary function, tuberculosis exam

10. Separate work and street clothes, vacuum work clothes, shower, wash before eating

11006131/0306 copyright © 2003 business & legal reports, inc. blr's safety training...

Documents

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silica lungs

amorphous silica

beverages slide

cure slide

destroyed slide

increased slide

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