6.2. SR 09-17-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Sep 11 2007 12:15PM LA HAUG ASSOC 9522261203 Silicosis f Silica Disease I Sandblasting Disease from Crystalline Silica Dust Exposure Back to Top Dangerous Occupations There are nearly two million workers in the United States with occupations ttlat lead 10 crystalline silica dust exposure. Silicosis, or silica disease, is especially common among the workers whose occupations expose them to extremely high levels of crystalline silica dust for long durations. Some of the common occupations or types ofworlcers at risk of silica disease due to crystallinesilica dust exposure include: >> Sandblasting f Sandblasters >> Shlpvard Workers >> Minino I Miners >> Foundry Workers 'II stonecutters >> Potters f Ceramic Worker.> >>Tunnel Workers >> Rock Drillers >> Road & Building Construction >> Glass Workers >> Quarry Workers ~.Qk to Top SUldblasting Disease, Silica Disease - Higher Risk Occupations The following occupations are discussed in turtherdetail because they pose the greatest risks of the pneumoconiosis silicosis, or silica disease. These occupations pose the highest crystalline silica dust exposure levels, are performed in poony ventilated areas, and surround the worker In a cloud of silica dust for prolonged periods. Sandblasting - Sandblasting Disease There is a reason that silicosis is commonly referred to as sandblasting disease. Sandblasting is one of the highest risk occupations when it comes to silicosis and crystalline silica <lust exposure. One of the main reasons is the high concentration of Quartz or other high crystalline silica content minerals in the abrasive sands used In sandblasting operations. Roughly 5 percent, or 100,000, of the workers in the United States that are exposed to crystalline silica dust on the job are employed as sandblasters. Many other occupations involve sandblasting on a pan-time basis. Sandblasting is typically used to clean or remove anything from automobile paint to sand from foundry castings. Sand (often containing high crystalline silica concentration) is forced into a high- pressure stream with compressed air or steam and used as an abrasive agent for many types of <:Ieaning and surface- preparalion jobs. Silica sand can break down to very small particles during sandbla sling operations. This freshly ground sllica dust tends to lead to the quicKer-1o-progress acute and accelerated forms of silicosis or sandblasting disease. Studies have Sh01M1 that many sandblasters have already died of silicosis or silica disease. Unfortunately, these studies also project that many more will likely die of sandblasting disease caused by inhalation of extremely dangerous levels of crystalline silica dusl Others willlil<ely die of some of the complications related 10 silicosis, like lung cancer and tuberculosis. http://www.silicosisc1aims.com!about.htrnl p.7 Page 2 of4 9/10/2007