Managing exposure to crystalline silica
Dangerous silica dust can be formed on site from concrete cutting, grinding or polishing and using power tools on stone. Breathing the silica dust can result in irreversible, untreatable diseases including silicosis and lung cancer.
Some dust particles can be so small that they are not visible. These are referred to as respirable particles. Respirable silica dust particles are those that are small enough to breathe in and penetrate deep into the lungs causing permanent damage that can lead to serious illness or death.
Safe Work Australia publishes exposure standards for airborne contaminants in the workplace. The workplace exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica (silica dust) that must not be exceeded is 0.05 mg/m3 (eight-hour time weighted average). Employers are required to ensure employee exposure does not exceed that standard. However recent publicity has stated that one in four stonemasons in Victoria who worked with artificial stone benchtops developed silicosis and many worksites are failing to offer their workers safe work practices.
Safe Work Australia offers these steps to minimise the risk
Managing risk and worker exposures to silica can be achieved by selecting and implementing measures using the hierarchy of controls:
Substitution such as sourcing composite stone benchtops with lower percentage of silica
Isolation of the hazard using principles of safe work design to designate areas for tasks that generate dust and appropriate worker positioning during these tasks using enclosures and automation to conduct dust generating tasks.
Engineering controls that minimise the risk of exposure to generate a dust; for example, local exhaustion ventilation, water suppression (wet cutting) or using tools with dust collection attachments.
Should a risk still remain; Administrative controls including good housekeeping policies, shift rotations and modifying cutting sequences.
Should a risk still remain; Personal protective equipment including appropriate respiratory equipment (generally a minimum of P2 efficiency half face respirator) and work clothing that does not collect dust.
Australian-made CleanSpace Respirators meet and exceed the minimum requirements for respiratory protection with a P3 filter. Unlike other power air purifying respirators (PAPRs) CleanSpace Respirators are easy to put on (in under 10 seconds) and don’t have heavy belts or hoses. They also deliver cool fresh air on the face and don’t create moisture and fogging.
Should I be concerned about silica exposure?
Crystalline silica is a natural mineral found in construction materials such as concrete, bricks, tiles, mortar and engineered stone. The amount of crystalline silica in products can vary. Examples include:
• Brick: up to 30 per cent
• Tile: 30-45 per cent
• Granite: 20-45 per cent
• Concrete/Mortar: 25-75 per cent
• Sandstone: 70-90 per cent
If you’re not sure if a product contains crystalline silica, check the safety data sheet or other information from the supplier.
One of the main reasons that workers go unprotected is because of low compliance. If masks are uncomfortable or not quick and easy to put on, then it is unlikely to be used.
CleanSpace Technology has designed and developed several respirators for various industries. The newest range of respirators – CST Pro and CST Ultra – are the lightest PAPRs on the market making it easy for users to wear and free to do their job without unnecessary bulk and weight. They are Bluetooth-enabled for connectivity with the CleanSpace SMART App allowing access to respirator data regarding battery charge, filter status and wearer protection.
The CleanSpace CST Ultra also delivers CleanSpace SMART INSIGHTS – a report which is ideal for larger worksites where respiratory compliance programmes are part of workplace operations. It is water tolerant with an IP rating of 65 making it perfect for workers who are wet cutting stone or concrete. Programmed with enhanced battery management, it retains a battery charge in storage up to a year.
The CleanSpace EX is intrinsically safe and certified for use in explosive environments.
As Australia’s only respirator company, CleanSpace Technology is proud to be supporting all those on the frontline in industry and healthcare to stay protected from airborne contaminants.
For more info: Contact CleanSpace Technology at sales@cleanspacetechnology.com or visit: cleanspacetechnology.com
