Transcript Solving the Construction Ergonomics Paradox

Silica- Clearing the Air
Scott Schneider, MS, CIH
Director of Occupational Safety
and Health
Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund
of North America
Silica is not a new problem
In 1700, Bernardino
Ramazinni published a book
on occupational diseases and
recognized respiratory
diseases among stone
cutters
In 1910, Alice Hamilton
studied silica exposures
among granite workers in
Vermont
In 1938, Congress was
outraged when over 400
workers died of acute
silicosis at the Gauley Bridge
tunnel job in West Virginia
Francis Perkins 1938
Acting to “Stop
Silicosis”
Francis Perkins, Secretary of Labor,
in 1938 convened a National
Conference to Stop Silicosis
In 1974, NIOSH recommends
dramatic reductions in the silica
exposure limit to 50
micrograms/cubic meter and a
comprehensive standard
Robert Reich, Secretary of Labor, in
1997, began a campaign with NIOSH
“It’s Not Just Dust” and holds a
National Conference to Eliminate
Silicosis
In 2006, ACGIH recommends an
even lower exposure limit, 25
micrograms/cubic meter
History of OSHA efforts
1974- OSHA publishes an “Advanced Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking” on whether it should adopt the NIOSH
recommended standard for silica (with 0.05 mg/m3 REL)
1989- PEL Update- OSHA modernizes the PEL for Silica to
mg/m3 but this rulemaking is thrown out by the courts
1997- OSHA places silica standard on reg agenda as long term
action
1999- OSHA expects to propose a new silica standard by June
2000. Current PEL measurement method is labeled “obsolete”
2003- OSHA completes Small Business panel review
2010- OSHA completes Peer Review of Health Effects data
June 2011- OSHA expects to publish Proposed Silica Standard
Health Effects
of Silica
Reported deaths from silicosis have dropped
to about 150 a year
But many cases go unreported:
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8.5% of NJ blue collar workers from dustexposed industries who had underlying lung
disease listed on their death certificate had
undetected silicosis on autopsy
A Michigan study estimated about 3,6007,300 new cases of silicosis each year in the
US
We have known for about 30 years that silica
exposure also causes cancer
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In 1997 IARC designated silica as a human
carcinogen
Lung cancer from silica exposures probably
outnumber silicosis cases
Silica causes other forms of respiratory
disease as well
Awareness of the hazard is low because
construction tends to be dusty and effects
are chronic
Worksafe BC Video
Exposures and Controls
Silica exposures from construction operations can be
very high, e.g. from tuck pointing and abrasive
blasting
But exposures can be easily and inexpensively
controlled using water or local exhaust
Many studies have been published in the past 10
years showing 90- 98% exposure reduction
More tools are now coming equipped with controls
Some States (NJ, CA) have banned dry cutting and
have not experienced any compliance problems
Dry Cutting is Risky Business
Wet vs. Dry Cutting
OSHA Publication on Controlling
Silica in Construction - 2009
NIOSH Information products
Spanish versions
NIOSH engineering control
page with control videos
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/silica/cons
tructionControlMain.html
Without dust controls
Dust suppression
with water
Dust Control
Solutions
Simple Solutions
book from
Arbouw in The
Netherlands 2002
• Includes
criteria for
purchasing
equipment
with controls
Dust Controls can help with
productivity as well
The OSHA Proposal
The draft reviewed by SBREFA in 2003
contained the following elements:

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Lowered PEL- 3 choices
Modernize measurement method from mppcf to
mg/m3
Table 1 specifies controls for high exposure tasks
These elements have been designed specifically to
make it easy for small businesses so they don’t
have to do a lot of expensive air monitoring
Table 1- Required Controls
It’s About Time
Silica has long been a health problem in
construction
The Government has been trying to regulate
it for almost 30 years
There are easy and inexpensive controls
available
It’s finally time to get to work and protect
workers from this serious hazard