Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure: Compliance in the Construction Industry

Details

• Personal Author:
  Linch K
• Description:
  OSHA activities regarding crystalline silica (14808607) exposures in the construction industry were described. Some construction activities during which dust containing respirable crystalline silica may be produced include abrasive blasting; masonry, bricklaying, block laying, and/or stone setting; demolition and repair of concrete or masonry structures; concrete finishing work; and rock drilling. Specific information was provided about the four digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes for which the OSHA Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) data indicated that at least 50 samples were obtained for all ten OSHA regions and in which at least 30% were over the permissible exposure limit for the years 1980 through 1995. The SIC codes discussed include 1542 (general building contractors, nonresidential buildings other than industrial buildings and warehouses), 1622 (bridge, tunnel, and elevated highway), 1629 (heavy construction, not elsewhere classified), 1721 (painting and paper hanging), 1741 (masonry, stone setting, and other stone work), and 1799 (special trade contractors, not elsewhere classified). The author notes that considering the level of construction employment and the large amount of construction which occurred in region 5 from 1980 through 1995, the number of crystalline silica samples found within the IMIS appears to be rather small. Recommendations include making certain that construction managers and industrial hygienists recognize when silica dust may be generated and planning ahead to eliminate or control the dust at the source. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Air Pollutants, Occupational Construction Industry Dust Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety Silicon Dioxide
• Keywords:
  Airborne Particles Construction Industry Construction Workers Dust Exposure Mineral Dusts Occupational Exposure Silica Dusts
• ISSN:
  1047-322X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DRDS - Division of Respiratory Disease Studies
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  12
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00239051
• Citation:
  Appl Occup Environ Hyg 1997 Sep; 12(9):577-580
• CAS Registry Number:
  Quartz (SiO2) (CAS RN 14808-60-7)
• Editor(s):
  Fairfax R
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1997
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  1522 - Residential construction, not elsewhere classified - (SIC) ; 1541 - Industrial buildings and warehouses - (SIC) ; 1542 - Nonresidential construction, not elsewhere classified - (SIC) ; 1611 - Highway and street construction - (SIC) ; 1622 - Bridge, tunnel, & elevated highway - (SIC) ; 1623 - Water, sewer, and utility lines - (SIC) ; 1629 - Heavy construction, not elsewhere classified - (SIC) ; 1711 - Plumbing, heating, air-conditioning - (SIC) ; 1721 - Painting and paper hanging - (SIC) ; 1731 - Electrical work - (SIC) ; 1741 - Masonry and other stonework - (SIC) ; 1742 - Plastering, drywall, and insulation - (SIC)
• Source Full Name:
  Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a4235ee00b1572c149b7737ddfbe3a8a4c1adc9464adf57baa63c1ef3d2e26f2d2582ba2ff8f454ee67a43421420aa27bc4d8c29e1476eb1a41568e414d49ab7
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/197959/cdc_197959_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 562.75 KB ]