The hazard of breathing in fine dust from concrete and stone that can cause permanent lung disease.
Silica exposure occurs when workers inhale respirable crystalline silica dust generated by cutting, grinding, drilling, or blasting materials containing quartz, such as concrete, masonry, stone, and sand. Prolonged exposure causes silicosis, lung cancer, and other serious diseases. OSHA's silica standard (29 CFR 1926.1153) requires engineering controls, exposure assessment, written exposure control plans, medical surveillance, and respirators.
The masonry crew used a wet grinder with local exhaust ventilation and N95 respirators to comply with the OSHA silica PEL of 50 μg/m3.
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