Respirable crystalline silica dust is a very small particle of hazardous dust from drilling, crushing, cutting, or grinding rocks and has been linked to several medical conditions and even death to workers exposed to the deadly dust.

OSHA estimates 2.3 million American workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica within their job site or manufacturing plant, where over 80% of the workers that are exposed to silica dust are in the construction industry. Exposure to respirable crystalline silica is a health concern for exposed workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently updated the silica standard to increase the protection of workers through:

- Exposure identification sampling
- Medical evaluations
- Continued medical surveillance
- Lower Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
- Specific guideline for sand blasting operations
- Requiring a silica exposure control program
- Addressing appropriate hazard exposure control

Topics Covered

What is Silica?
What workers are exposed to crystalline silica?
Health Hazards of Silica Exposures
Regulated Areas and Abrasive Blasting
Exposure Assessment Options
Exposure Control Options
Hazard Communication