Safe Work Procedure: Silica Dust Control

Document Number: [SWP-NUMBER] Revision Date: [DATE] Next Review Date: [NEXT REVIEW DATE] Department: [DEPARTMENT NAME]

1. Scope

This Safe Work Procedure (SWP) outlines the necessary safety measures and procedures to control and minimize employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica during various tasks and activities. This SWP applies to all areas where materials containing crystalline silica are processed, handled, or disturbed, potentially generating airborne respirable silica dust [1]. This includes but is not limited to construction, demolition, manufacturing, and maintenance activities. This procedure aims to ensure that employee exposure remains at or below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 μg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) [2].

This SWP should be used in conjunction with the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) and other relevant safety procedures to provide a comprehensive approach to silica dust control [3].

2. Definitions

Action Level: A concentration of airborne respirable crystalline silica of 25 μg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA [1].

Competent Person: An individual who is capable of identifying existing and foreseeable respirable crystalline silica hazards in the workplace and who has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or minimize them [1]. The competent person must have the knowledge and ability necessary to fulfill the responsibilities set forth in this subdivision [1].

PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit): A concentration of airborne respirable crystalline silica of 50 μg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA [2].

Regulated Area: An area, demarcated by the employer, where an employee's exposure to airborne concentrations of respirable crystalline silica exceeds, or can reasonably be expected to exceed, the PEL [2].

Respirable Crystalline Silica: Quartz, cristobalite, and/or tridymite contained in airborne particles that are determined to be respirable by a sampling device designed to meet the characteristics for respirable-particle size-selective samplers specified in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 7708:1995 [2].

3. Responsibilities

3.1 Supervisors

• Ensure that workers are adequately trained on the hazards of respirable crystalline silica and the proper use of control measures [3].
• Conduct regular inspections of work areas to identify and correct silica hazards [1].
• Enforce the use of required PPE, including respirators, and ensure proper fit testing and maintenance [4].
• Develop and implement written procedures to restrict access to work areas, when necessary, to minimize the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica and their level of exposure [5].

3.2 Workers

• Participate in required training programs and understand the health hazards associated with silica exposure [3].
• Use all control measures and PPE as instructed, including wearing respirators when required [4].
• Report any silica-related hazards or control measure failures to the supervisor immediately [6].
• Follow safe work practices and procedures to minimize the generation and spread of silica dust [5].

3.3 Health and Safety Representative

• Assist in the development and implementation of the written exposure control plan [5].
• Monitor the effectiveness of the silica control program and recommend improvements [5].
• Participate in incident investigations related to silica exposure [5].

4. Potential Hazards and Risks

Hazard	Risk	Control Measures
Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica	Silicosis, lung cancer, other respiratory diseases, kidney effects, immune system effects [3]	Use engineering controls (e.g., wet methods, ventilation), implement work practices to minimize dust, provide and ensure the use of respirators 5, 12
Disturbance of silica-containing materials (e.g., during cutting, grinding, demolition)	Exposure to high concentrations of respirable silica	Use local exhaust ventilation, water sprays, enclosed cabs, and respiratory protection 5, 12
Dry sweeping or compressed air cleaning	Re-suspension of silica dust into the air	Use wet sweeping or HEPA-filtered vacuuming; avoid using compressed air for cleaning unless with ventilation [4]
Lack of proper PPE	Inadequate protection from silica exposure	Provide appropriate respirators, protective clothing, and ensure proper fit testing and training [4]

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Proper PPE must be worn to minimize exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Inspect all PPE before use to ensure it is in good condition [4].

• Respirators: Required when engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce exposure to or below the PEL [5]. Select appropriate respirator based on exposure levels and ensure proper fit testing and training in accordance with 1910.134 [4].
• Protective Clothing: Wear disposable or washable protective clothing to prevent silica dust from contaminating personal clothing. Change into clean clothing before leaving the work area [4].
• Eye Protection: Use safety glasses or goggles to prevent eye irritation from dust and debris [4].
• Gloves: Wear gloves to protect skin from contact with silica-containing materials [4].
• Hearing Protection: Use hearing protection if equipment generates high noise levels [4].

6. Equipment and Tools

Use the appropriate equipment and tools for the task to minimize dust generation. Ensure equipment is properly maintained and in good working order [6].

• HEPA-Filtered Vacuums: Use for cleaning work areas to prevent the re-suspension of silica dust [6].
• Wet Cutting Saws: Use saws with integrated water delivery systems to suppress dust during cutting operations [7].
• Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV): Use LEV systems to capture dust at the source during grinding, cutting, and other dust-generating activities [6].
• Enclosed Blasting Cabinets: Use enclosed blasting cabinets with proper ventilation for abrasive blasting operations [1].
• Water Sprays: Use water sprays to suppress dust during demolition and other activities [7].

7. Pre-Job Requirements

7.1 Training and Competency

• Workers must complete a silica awareness training program that covers the health hazards of silica exposure, control measures, proper use of PPE, and the requirements of this SWP [3].
• Supervisors and competent persons must receive additional training on exposure assessment, control plan development, and regulatory requirements 1, 4.

7.2 Pre-Job Briefing

• Conduct a pre-job briefing before starting any task that may generate silica dust. Discuss the specific hazards, control measures, and safe work practices for the task [5].
• Review the written exposure control plan and ensure all workers understand their roles and responsibilities [5].

7.3 Work Area Preparation

• Assess the work area for potential silica hazards and implement appropriate control measures before work begins [5].
• Demarcate regulated areas where exposures may exceed the PEL and restrict access to authorized personnel only [8].
• Ensure that all necessary equipment and PPE are available and in good working condition [4].

8. Safe Work Procedure Steps

Step 1: Exposure Assessment

Assess employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to determine appropriate control measures [9].

• Use air monitoring data or objective data to characterize employee exposures [9].
• If exposures are at or above the action level, implement additional control measures and repeat monitoring [9].
• If exposures are above the PEL, implement corrective actions to reduce exposure below the PEL [10].

Safety considerations: Ensure proper sampling methods are used and samples are analyzed by an accredited laboratory [11].

Step 2: Engineering and Work Practice Controls

Implement engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL [5].

• Use wet methods to suppress dust during cutting, grinding, and demolition activities [7].
• Use local exhaust ventilation to capture dust at the source [6].
• Isolate workers from dust-generating activities where possible [6].

Safety considerations: Ensure that engineering controls are properly maintained and effective [6].

Step 3: Respiratory Protection

Provide and ensure the use of respirators when engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce exposure to or below the PEL [4].

• Select appropriate respirators based on exposure levels and task requirements [4].
• Ensure proper fit testing and training for all respirator users [4].
• Maintain respirators in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and regulatory requirements [4].

Safety considerations: Implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with 1910.134 [4].

9. Precautions and Safety Measures

• Hygiene Practices: Wash hands and face thoroughly before eating, drinking, or smoking to avoid ingestion of silica dust [4].
• No Dry Sweeping: Do not dry sweep or dry brush surfaces where silica dust is present. Use wet sweeping or HEPA-filtered vacuuming instead [4].
• Compressed Air: Do not use compressed air to clean clothing or surfaces unless used with a ventilation system [4].
• Equipment Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain equipment to ensure it is in good working order and dust control systems are effective [6].
• Housekeeping: Regularly clean work areas to prevent the accumulation of silica dust [6].

10. Emergency Procedures

10.1 General Emergency Response

• In the event of a medical emergency, call for medical assistance immediately. Provide first aid as necessary [4].
• Evacuate the area if there is a significant release of silica dust [4].

10.2 Specific Emergency Scenarios

• Eye Contact: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention if irritation persists [4].
• Inhalation: Move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if breathing difficulties occur [4].
• Skin Contact: Wash affected area with soap and water [4].

10.3 Emergency Contact Information

• [Emergency Contact 1] - [Phone Number]
• [Emergency Contact 2] - [Phone Number]
• [Emergency Contact 3] - [Phone Number]

11. Incident Reporting and Investigation

Report all incidents, near-misses, and hazards related to silica exposure to the supervisor immediately [6].

Investigate all reported incidents to determine the root cause and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence [6].

12. References and Related Documents

• OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1053 Respirable Crystalline Silica [5]
• Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) (1910.1200) [3]
• NIOSH Hazard Review (2002), Health Effects of Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica [12]

---

Approved by: [NAME AND POSITION] Date: [APPROVAL DATE]

Safety powered by SALUS