What are the best practices for silica safety?

Become Informed

• Be aware of the health effects of breathing air that has silica dust in it.

• Know what causes silica dust at your workplace.

Reduce Your Exposure to Dust

• Remember, even if there is no dust, you could still be at risk.

• Avoid working in dust whenever possible.

• Reduce the amount of silica dust by doing the following:

  • Use water sprays and ventilation when working in confined structures. For example:

    • Use a water hose to wet dust before it becomes airborne.

    • Use saws that add water to the blade.

    • Use drills that add water through the stem or have dust collection systems.

    • Use blast cleaning machines or cabinets to control dust.

Use Respirators When Needed

• When water sprays and ventilation alone are not enough to reduce silica dust levels, your employer MUST provide you with a properly fitted and selected respirator (e.g., particulate filter or airline supplied air respirator) designated for protection against crystalline silica.

• Changes should not be made to the respirator.

• Workers who use tight-fitting respirators may not have beards or mustaches because they do not let the respirator properly seal to the face.

• Sandblasting or abrasive blasting requires the highest level of protection, which is a type CE abrasive blasting respirator.

Participate in Medical Screening

• Take health (or lung screening) programs offered by your employer.

Practice Good Personal Hygiene at the Workplace

• Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco products in dusty areas.

• Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking outside dusty areas.

• Change into disposable or washable work clothes at the worksite.

• Shower (if possible) and change into clean clothes before leaving the worksite to prevent contamination of other work areas, cars, and homes.

• Park cars where they will not be contaminated with silica.

Your employer must make sure that you have and use the proper protective equipment for reducing silica dust levels.