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Occupational and Environmental Safety

Silica Programs

 

General Overview

There are three forms of silica: quartz (the most common) cristobalite, and tridymite. Silica is found in the earth’s crust, and is a component of soil, sand, stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, mortar, and plaster. Crystalline silica (silicon dioxide, SiO2) is a common mineral found in many naturally occurring and man-made materials. Additionally, it can also be found in materials like paints, plasters, joint compound, drywall, ceiling tiles, ceramic tiles, and grout.

Respirable crystalline silica is made of very small particles, typically 100 times smaller than ordinary sand found at beaches. At this size, the particles can enter your lungs and cause disease. There are known health effects from exposure to respirable crystalline silica - it is not just an inert dust. Most common is silicosis, an incurable disease where silica has caused scarring in the lungs, making them less flexible and less able to absorb oxygen. Silica can also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic airway obstruction. It can make you more susceptible to tuberculosis. And there are non-respiratory diseases associated with silica exposure, including kidney disease and autoimmune disorders such as scleroderma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Clemson’s main goal of the Silica Programs is to not generate any silica containing dusts above the Permissible Exposure Limit.

Whenever possible, silica hazards will be eliminated from the workplace by engineering, work practice, or administrative controls. If those controls do not provide enough protection, CU will use PPE. If it is determined that  respiratory protection is required for a task, the individual will also be enrolled in medical surveillance at no cost to the individual. 

OSHA has two standards for respirable crystalline silica.

  • OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction Standard (29 CFR 1926.1153)
  • OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for General Industry Standard (29 CFR 29 CFR 1910.1053)

Read below for additional details for the two silica programs listed above. These programs apply to all Faculty, Staff, Student, or others whose activities could generate crystalline silica containing dusts and are working in or on Clemson owned and/or operated properties.

 

Construction Industry

OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926.1153) applies to those who are performing job activities involving construction, alteration, and/or repair, including painting and decorating. These activities include, but are not limited to, abrasive blasting; jack hammering; rock drilling; sawing concrete or bricks; moving or dumping piles of concrete, rock, or sand; rock crushing; and chipping or scarifying of concrete. OSHA has a list of tasks and equipment they already approved which are found in Table 1 of OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction. If the requirements in Table 1 cannot be met exactly as stated and also conducted correctly as defined, or for any additional tasks and/or equipment not on this list, contact OES (oeshelp@clemson.edu) to conduct an assessment to evaluate potential exposure.

 

Training

 

General Industry

Respirable Crystalline Silica in General Industry (29 CFR 1910.1053) specifically refers to individuals being potentially exposed in non-construction activities including, but not limited to, carving stone, foundry/hydraulic fracturing, metal casting, and manufacturing of glass and pottery. Anytime these activities, or other silica containing materials are used, silica exposure must be assessed before any work begins. OES must be contacted so that a crystalline silica assessment is conducted.  OES will utilize the performance option to determine the 8-hour TWA exposure for each employee based on any combination of air monitoring data and objective data, which can accurately characterize potential employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica.  If exposures are above the permissible exposure limit, employers must post a sign at each entrance to regulated areas that reads, DANGER: RESPIRABLE CRYSTALLINE SILICA CAN CAUSE CANCER OR SILICOSIS (DAMAGE TO LUNGS). AVOID BREATHING DUST. WEAR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IN THIS AREA. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.

 

Request Respirable Crystalline Silica Assessment By OES

OES will conduct a respirable crystalline silica assessment to determine potential exposure.