Why is Silica Hazardous?
Silica, often referred to as quartz, is a very common mineral. It is found in many materials common on construction and oil & gas sites, including soil, sand, concrete, masonry, rock, granite, and landscaping materials.
The dust created by cutting, grinding, drilling or otherwise disturbing these materials can contain crystalline silica particles. These dust particles are very small. You cannot see them. This respirable silica dust causes lung disease and lung cancer. It only takes a very small amount of airborne silica dust to create a health hazard.
Recognizing that very small, respirable silica particles are hazardous, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1926.1153 requires construction employers to keep worker exposures at or below a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of 50 µg/m3 or comply with Table 1 – Specified Exposure Control Methods When Working With Materials Containing Crystalline Silica of the silica standard (click here to learn more about the construction standard). OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.1053 requires employers covered by the general industry standard, including oil and gas, to keep worker exposure at or below a Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) of 50 µg/m3 (click here to learn more about the general industry standard).
To learn more about the hazard…
- OSHA: Silica – Frequently Asked Questions
- CALOSHA Hazards of Silica in Construction etool
- “Crystalline Silica Primer,” U.S. Department of the Interior
- Silica Exposure (video), WorkSafe BC
