![]() ![]() For example, substituting a non-silica abrasive material in blasting operations. Replace crystalline silica materials with safer substitutes, whenever possible.There are a number of actions that employers can take to further protect their workers. Training for workers about silica-related hazards and how to limit exposure.Providing medical exams, including chest x-rays, to workers with high silica exposures every three years.Enforcing the use of effective methods for reducing exposures.Limiting workers' access to areas where silica exposures are high.Mandating companies to assign someone to monitor and assess silica exposure.The proposed rules also include provisions for: Additionally, the rules dictate that employers must assess employee exposure if it might be at or above an action level of 25 µg/m 3. The new permissible exposure limit (PEL) set by OSHA is 50 µg/m 3, (micrograms of silica per cubic meter of air) averaged over an 8-hour day. The major rule change lies in the major reduction in allowable exposure. The vast majority of workers exposed to crystalline silica, approximately 1.85 million of the total 2.2 million total workers, are exposed via their work in the construction industry. There are separate rules for construction workers and for general industry and maritime workers. ![]() Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new final rule in 2016 with guidelines for employers on worker exposure to crystalline silica. Acute silicosis occurs when exposure concentrations are high, and symptoms can appear within a few weeks or for up to 4 or 5 years following initial exposure.Accelerated silicosis results from exposure to high concentrations of crystalline silica and may develop 5 to 10 years after initial exposure.Chronic silicosis occurs after 10 or more years of exposure to low concentrations of crystalline silica.There are three classifications of silicosis: It also puts smokers, whose lungs are already damaged, at a much higher risk. Silicosis greatly reduces lung function, making sufferers more susceptible to other lung diseases such as tuberculosis. Symptoms may not appear until the accumulated damage is severe, so it can often only be revealed through an x-ray of the lungs. Silicosis occurs when the lungs harden and develop scarring around the inhaled and trapped silica particles. It is caused by long term, sustained occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica. One of the most common health issues associated with crystalline silica is silicosis, which is an irreversible, incurable and sometimes fatal lung disease. ![]()
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