Did You Know?
About 2 million workers are currently exposed to respirable crystalline silica in construction workplaces.
Over 640,000 of these workers are estimated to be exposed to silica levels that exceed OSHA’s proposed permissible exposure limit (PEL).
Process Solutions
- Use engineering controls such as blasting cabinets and local exhaust ventilation to contain/remove respirable contaminates.
- Avoid using compressed air for cleaning surfaces.
- Use water sprays, wet methods for cutting, chipping, drilling, sawing, grinding, etc.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke near crystalline silica dust.
- Wash hands and face before eating, drinking or smoking away from exposure area.
Product Solutions
- Find out more about LATICRETE products that contain no respirable crystalline silica levels that exceed the OSHA action level.*
- When mixing and pouring self-leveling underlayments and overlayments utilize a pouring cart such as the LATICRETE® Pro-Mix Station. This allows you to contain the material and attach a dust extractor to help eliminate harmful dust from the jobsite.
Resources
- What is the new US OSHA construction silica regulation?
- Frequently Asked Questions: Respirable Crystalline Silica Rule
- PPE Respiratory Protection Guide from the United States Department of Labor
* OSHA action level set forth in OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) standard for construction, 29 CFR 1926.1153, as tested by an independent laboratory to be below the OSHA action level for respirable crystalline silica - see laticrete.com/silica