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4 min read
The Benefits of Silica Safety Training
In the construction industry, working with materials that contain crystalline silica is often unavoidable. This...
What is silica?
All the commotion of a construction site tends to build up clouds of dust. But that dust isn’t just dust – it’s a bunch of tiny crystalline silica particles that pose a serious threat to everyone exposed. Crystalline silica, also referred to as quartz, is a common mineral. It’s found in soil, sand, granite, concrete, rock, and many other materials. Cutting, chipping, grinding, and drilling these materials creates a lot of dust, which contains tiny crystalline silica particles. This airborne silica dust can easily be breathed in, causing a major health hazard for exposed workers.
What are the dangers of silica exposure?
Crystalline silica has been classified as a human lung carcinogen and can cause serious lung disease and lung cancer. It only takes a very small amount of respirable silica dust to create a health hazard.
Who is at risk?
Nearly 2 million U.S. workers are at risk of silica exposure every year. This includes employees who work in construction, maritime, manufacturing, and hydraulic fracturing. There are workers whose job tasks create a high-risk exposure to silica.