Construction and progress never stop especially with continued investment in infrastructure. As the
construction on bridges, roads and commercial building increase, so does the opportunity for potential
exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). U.S. OSHA estimates that about two million
construction workers are exposed to RCS in over 600,000 workplaces.i
Silica or silicon dioxide (SiO2) is a naturally occurring mineral—one of the most common on Earth.
Construction crews encounter crystalline silica in many common materials found on construction sites
such as sand, soil, masonry, concrete, granite, rock and landscaping materials.ii When construction
workers disturb these elements, respirable crystalline silica dust can be released. Respirable crystalline
silica (RCS) particles are too small to be seen by the human eye. They remain in the air for extended time
periods after handling, cutting, sanding or carving materials containing crystalline silica. RCS particles
present an inhalation hazard, as they can damage a worker’s lungs.iii
Despite advances in workplace safety practices, construction workers still face numerous, potential silica hazards. Building materials, construction techniques and personal protective equipment (PPE) standards are always evolving, so it’s critical to understand how these changes impact a worker’s exposure to silica on a construction site. When the safety and health of employees who work with silica or welding hazards is a priority, everyone on your team stands to benefit.
We encourage you to download and explore our complimentary eBook today, which contains helpful
information about:
- Respirable crystalline silica in construction – Learn about the health and safety hazards, bestpractices and PPE for construction workers who are facing silica exposure from many types of materials in a wide variety of applications.
- Welding and grinding operations in construction – Discover the worksite challenges, safety measures, and suggested PPE for welding and grinding work in construction.
This eBook also explores engineering controls (physical workplace changes) and administrative work
practice controls that should be evaluated first to protect workers. Although PPE should be considered the last line of defense in construction safety and health, it is often a vital part of worksite compliance initiatives such as respiratory protection programs that help protect workers from all types of airborne hazards such as silica, manganese, and other particulates. Safety and health managers can also benefit from learning more about selecting the right PPE to protect against noise, head, eye, face, body, and other health hazards, such as working-at-heights, that workers may
face while conducting this important work.
Find the information you need to help protect construction worker safety and health when exposed to
silica, welding and grinding operations. Discover how 3M can help you protect the workers that make
project success possible, from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting. Check out our free Ebook today and
contact us to discuss your PPE needs.
References:
i Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction”, [Online]. Available: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3681.pdf. [Accessed 9 August 2021].
ii CPWR, “The Construction Chart Book (6th edition)”, February 2018. Chart 50f [Online]. Available:
https://www.cpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/publications/The_6th_Edition_Construction_eChart_Book.pdf. [Accessed 16 September 2021].
iii Health and Safety Executive (HSE), “INDG463 –Control of exposure to silica dust – A guide for employees”, 2014.
[Online]. Available: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg463.pdf. [Accessed 19 October, 2021] and
CPWR, “The Construction Chart Book (6th edition)”, February 2018. Chart 50f [Online]. Available:
https://www.cpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/publications/The_6th_Edition_Construction_eChart_Book.pdf. [Accessed 16 September 2021].