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Silica Hazard Analysis

ON-DUTY Workplace OSHA Corner OSHA Significant Issues Silica Hazard Analysis
Silica Hazard Analysis
Silica Hazard Analysis
Respirable crystalline silica – very small particles at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand you might find on beaches and playgrounds – is created when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar.

WARNING: CRYSTALLINE SILICA HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A HUMAN LUNG CARCINOGEN. ADDITIONALLY, BREATHING CRYSTALLINE SILICA DUST CAN CAUSE SILICOSIS, WHICH IN SEVERE CASES CAN BE DISABLING, OR EVEN FATAL.

Hazard
Workers who inhale these very small crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases, including; Silicosis, an incurable lung disease that can lead to disability and death; Lung cancer; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and Kidney disease.

Standard


Policy

  • HQDA EXORD 031-19 - Ensuring safe and healthy workplaces that generate or have potential for exposure to heavy metals. Army Occupational Exposure Limits. CAC login required

Common HRAs

  • Abrasive blasting
  • Concrete Mixing
  • Concrete Cutting
  • Sandblasting

Controls

  • Engineering
  • Enclose processes if process produces respirable particles.
  • Use local exhaust or vacuum system with HEPA filters if process produces respirable particles.
  • Industrial Hygiene must verify controls are adequate.

Administrative

  • Never grind or produce respirable particles without proper controls.
  • Wet surfaces before cutting or grinding.
  • Shower and change into work uniforms before leaving work area.
  • Minimize the number of workers who have potential to be exposed to silica dust.
  • Safety data sheets (SDSs).
  • Medical screening.
  • HAZCOM training.

PPE

  • Respirators required if exposure above OSHA PEL, NIOSH REL or ACGIH TLV.
  • Face shielding, uniforms and gloves.
  • Industrial Hygiene must verify.