Silica safety talk

How to run it

1. 1Check which tasks on site this week cut, grind, drill or crush concrete, brick, block, stone or tile, and start with those.
2. 2Bring the actual saw or grinder with its water feed or shroud and vacuum, and show the controls working.
3. 3Run the dust-control checklist as polls. Any 'no' answer is something to fix before the task starts.
4. 4Remind the crew where your written exposure control plan is and who the competent person is.

Questions people ask

What is OSHA Table 1 for silica?

Table 1 in OSHA's construction silica standard lists common tasks and the dust controls and respirators to use for each. Following it fully means you don't need to measure exposure for that task.

Is dry sweeping silica dust allowed?

No, not where it could add to exposure, unless wet methods or vacuuming aren't feasible. Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum or wet methods instead.

What health problems does silica cause?

Silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease. Damage builds up over years and can't be reversed.