Back to Basics: Silica Hazards, Compliance, and Enforcement
Silica, present in materials like sand, stone, concrete, and mortar, is used in various industries, posing health hazards.
Respirable crystalline silica, found in fine silica particles, is associated with serious diseases such as COPD, kidney disease, lung cancer, and silicosis.
Workplace tasks like cutting, crushing, drilling, grinding, or sawing materials like block, brick, concrete, and stone create respirable crystalline silica dust.
OSHA has standards for respirable crystalline silica exposure in both the construction and general industry/maritime sectors, emphasizing exposure limits and control measures.
