The Dangers of Exposure to Silica Dust and How to Protect Workers
Dust containing silica can be harmful to one’s health, especially for workers in the construction industry, as it pertains to cutting, drilling, or grinding techniques employed on concrete or stone surfaces. Being in direct contact with the dust can result in respiratory restlessness that comes in the form of silicosis and even cancer. Thus, to maintain employee safety, they should go for online OSHA certification.
Excessive silica dust poses a threat and is hazardous for workers. Let us understand the dangers of silica dust and how employees can learn to mitigate the risks associated with it.
The Health Risks Associated with Silica Dust Exposure
Since silica is a natural mineral that is found in sand, stone, and even concrete, upon any disturbance, it releases tiny harmful dust particles that can get inhaled. If you are an employee working in an environment where disturbance to sand, stone, and even concrete is almost a daily occurrence, then silica dust has the potential to affect your health. Dust containing silica can lead to tons of health issues if inhaled. Thus, the worker should take extra precautions to filter toxic dust.
Consequences of Silica Dust Exposure on Health
- Silicosis: This particular respiratory illness leads to lung scarring and inflammation, therefore making it increasingly difficult for the afflicted individual to breathe. There is no treatment to completely cure silicosis, but it can be managed.
- Lung Cancer: Continuous exposure to harmful airborne dust particles can lead to serious lung diseases and silicosis, as articulately described above.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): This is a disorder that limits lung capability and leads to complicated breathing patterns.
- Kidney Disease: There are also health risks that may occur when they are exposed to the deteriorating function of the kidneys.
Workers can receive OSHA safety training on the risks by getting an online OSHA certification and learning preventive measures.
How Workers Can Be Safe from Exposure to Silica Dust
There has to be a joint effort to ensure that there is no exposure to the silica dust that can be harmful. Here are some of the basic measures:
Engineering Controls
- Use proper methods to ventilate areas and decrease the concentration of silica dust in the air.
- When cutting or grinding, use water sprays to capture dust.
- Use tools with high dust removal efficiency to lessen exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Respirators must be possessed in places with high exposure. Always OSHA-approved for optimum safety.
- Use protective clothing to ensure dust does not settle on skin and clothes.
OSHA Construction Training
Workers exposed to hazards need to go through numerous regulations, training, and courses using videos and self-paced celebrating OSHA standards. This is why many workers choose online OSHA Certification because it is easy to learn with no time limits.
Other Procedural Measures
- Do not utilize dry sweeping or air blowers to clean dust as it may stir up more dust.
- Instruct employees on appropriate methods of working with silica-containing substances as well as the disposal of such substances.
- Introduce regular medical checkups to catch respiratory problems as early as possible.
Attain OSHA Competency
Companies can promote safety in the workplace through their teams earning an OSHA certificate. This is necessary to comply with safety training requirements as well as DOL card ones.
Conclusion
In this certification, the user gets the freedom to learn at his or her own pace, which is its primary advantage. This program also provides online training services to businesses for compliance with OSHA regulations concerning the safety and health of employees.
Investing in online OSHA certification standards helps businesses reduce injuries in the workplace and other incidents. Employers have to ensure that their workers are protected from exposure to silica dust, and this obligation goes beyond legal obligation.
