EPA / OSHA
Crystalline Silica In Concrete
Crystalline Silica is prevalent in concrete and poses a serious health risk to humans when exposed to concrete dust if certain precautions are not taken. Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in the earth’s crust. Materials like sand, stone, concrete, and mortar contain crystalline silica. It is also used to make products such as glass, pottery, ceramics, bricks, and artificial stone.
Performance Concrete Systems have trained staff experts in OSHA and EPA requirements that directly apply to concrete coating services. We go above and beyond when it comes to ensure health and safety and dust control on all of our jobs. We also offer OSHA required respirator, and crystalline silica training to other contractors within the industry.
Respirable crystalline silica – very small particles at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand you might find on beaches and playgrounds – is created when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar. Activities such as abrasive blasting with sand; sawing brick or concrete; sanding or drilling into concrete walls; grinding mortar; manufacturing brick, concrete blocks, stone countertops, or ceramic products; and cutting or crushing stone result in worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica dust. Industrial sand used in certain operations, such as foundry work and hydraulic fracturing (fracking), is also a source of respirable crystalline silica exposure. About 2.3 million people in the U.S. are exposed to silica at work.
Workers who inhale these very small crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases, including:
- Silicosis, an incurable lung disease that can lead to disability and death
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Kidney disease
- Lung cancer
To better protect workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica, OSHA has issued two new respirable crystalline silica standards: one for construction, and the other for general industry and maritime. OSHA will begin enforcing most provisions of the standard for construction on September 23, 2017, and will begin enforcing most provisions of the standard for general industry and maritime on June 23, 2018.
Training And Health & Safety Services
Performance Concrete Systems is staffed with environmental health and safety professionals to ensure we protect our employees, our customers, and the environment. We offer the following training and consulting services to our customers and other concrete service industry businesses:
- Crystalline Silica Training
- Respirator Training
- Respirator Fit Testing
- Dust Control And Mitigation Techniques
- Industrial Hygiene Monitoring For Dust Exposure
OSHA
Means of Egress OSHA 1926.34
We can help you comply with OSHA’s Means of Egress standard by assisting in designing your facility aisleways, providing striping and clearly identifying your emergency exit routes. Call us today for a no cost risk assessment!
Walking Working Surfaces OSHA 1910.22
We can help you comply with OSHA’s Walking Working Surfaces standard by ensuring working surfaces meet OSHAs standards. We can install durable slip resistant surfaces in any work environment. Call us today for a no cost risk assessment!
Material Handling and Storage 1910.176
We can help you comply with OSHA 1910.176 by demarcating meet aisleways in any work environment:
“Where mechanical handling equipment is used, sufficient safe clearances shall be allowed for aisles, at loading docks, through doorways and wherever turns or passage must be made. Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repair, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard. Permanent aisles and passageways shall be appropriately marked.”
Contact us today for a no cost risk assessment!
EPA
Hazardous Waste Requirements
40 CFR Part 264.175 – Containment