SILICA 101

A PRIMER
This training module is designed to give
the viewer an overview of silica hazards
and controls. Included will be suggestions
on how to conduct silica inspections, how
to find sources of silica information on the
web, and how to protect yourself at sites
where silica is present.
 Silica Properties/Hazards
Silica is found abundantly in nature
and in industry. Common uses
include glassmaking, sandblasting,
foundries, pottery manufacturing,
granite countertop fabrication and
various construction jobs including
tuck pointing and road building.
Silica is one of the components of
Portland cement, so if you see
concrete you will see silica.
Silica causes silicosis—a disease where
scar tissue develops in the lungs and
reduces the ability to get oxygen from the
air. There are three kinds of silicosis
based on the amount of exposure and
length of time of exposure: CHRONIC
usually develops after 10 or more years of
exposure and is the most common type;
ACCELERATED develops between 5 and
10 years of moderate exposures; ACUTE
develops within weeks up to 5 years of
exposure to massive doses.
 WHY TARGET SILICA?
OSHA targets silica
because it is such a
serious disease and
exposure is so
common. NIOSH
estimates that 1.7
million U.S. workers
are currently exposed
to silica.
 Joint Approach

In 1996 there was a joint effort between

OSHA, MSHA and NIOSH to reduce and
eliminate workplace exposure to silica
and silicosis. OSHA published an SEP—
Special Emphasis Program for Silicosis
on May 2, 1996. This program
established an outreach and inspection
targeting program to put an emphasis on
eliminating silica hazards.
 Exposure Limits
There are several exposure limits for silica. OSHA has limits for
quartz, cristobalite and tridymite and separate levels for construction
and general industry.
ACGIH has a TLV of 0.05 mg/m3 for respirable quartz and
cristobalite.
NIOSH as a REL of 0.05 mg/m3 for respirable quartz, cristobalite
and tridymite.
 OSHA Limits
GENERAL INDUSTRY CONSTRUCTION
QUARTZ (mg/m3)– QUARTZ (mppcf)–
10 / (% silica + 2) 250 / % silica + 5
CRISTOBALITE – ½ the
calculated quartz
formula
TRIDYMITE – ½ the
calculated quartz
formula
 What does this mean?
The general industry PEL is in mg/m3 and
the % silica is analyzed from the sampling
filter. That’s right—it changes with the % of
silica on the filter. The higher the % silica,
the lower the PEL. If no silica is detected
the PEL is 5.0 mg/m3 which is the PEL for
nuisance dust. If 100% silica is detected
the PEL is 0.098 mg/m3. But what’s a
mppcf? And how am I supposed to
measure it?
Wake up!!! Time to begin
confusing calculations!!
 MPPCF vs MG/M3
No one samples or analyzes for million
particles per cubic foot anymore. This is
an obsolete method that uses impingers
and technology has advanced since the
construction standard was adopted. We
have to measure in mg/m3 and convert to
mppcf. Fortunately, NIOSH has devised a
formula to convert mppcf to mg/m3.
 HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THIS?

• The only way to know the conversion is to read this

power point. OR—you can find it hidden on the Intranet
at: http://merlin.osha.gov/compliance/memos/ra20010904.pdf
• The formula is: CN, mppcf = (CM, mg/m3) / 0.1
• So, if you collected a respirable dust sample at 2.0 mg/m3, the
equivalent count concentration would be:
CN, mppcf = 2.0 / 0.1 = 20 mppcf

Of course you could just multiply the mg/m3 by 10 to get mppcf but
that’s too easy.
 Now I’m REALLY Confused
• You should be
confused-this is a
confusing concept.
But you CAN figure it
out!!

• To determine silica exposure for OSHA purposes

you must calculate two things: the PEL and the
employee exposure. Then you compare the
employee exposure to the PEL to see if you
have overexposure.
 What If I Find Quartz and Crystobalite?

That’s great!! Then you can use the mixture

formula and cite 1910.1000(d)!! OSHA has a
silica etool that shows you how to do this.
 How Do I Do THAT?
If you can do an 8-hour time-weighted
average using two or more samples, you
can calculate a silica PEL using two or
more samples. All you have to do is a
“weight-weighted” average using the %
silica and weight of each sample. An
excellent example of this is listed on the
OSHA silica etool at
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/silica/co
mpare_to_limit/pel/pel.html
 The GENIUS Method
Now that you know how to
do those confusing
calculations, here’s the easy
way. Just click on the OSHA
etool website and the
Genius will do the
calculations for you!! Just
click here to begin:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/et
ools/silica/compare_to_limit/
genius/genius.html
Cautionary Note/Great Advice
A common mistake in calculating silica
exposures is to correctly calculate the PEL using
the % silica formula, but instead of comparing
the calculated PEL to the amount of respirable
DUST containing silica, the consultant will
compare the PEL to the amount of respirable
SILICA in the sample. Please be very careful
when making calculations—or especially when
reviewing sampling results from consultants—to
make sure the calculations are done properly.
 How Do I Sample?
Since the PEL is for
respirable dust, you
have to use a
cyclone.
Sample using pre-weighed filters at 1.7 lpm. Directions are on the
Intranet at:
http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_ii/otm_ii_1.html#ii:1_5
Read them and follow them EXACTLY!!

Ask for both quartz and cristobalite in the analysis.

 Possible Violations
REMEMBER THAT OSHA DOES NOT HAVE
AN EXPANDED SILICA STANDARD
but there’s still lots we can do:
• 1910.1000(c) and (e)-overexposure and
engineering controls for general industry
• 1926.55(a) and (b)-overexposure and
engineering controls for construction
• 1910.132 and 1926.95-require tyveks or
coveralls to keep the dust at work
• 1910.134-respirator violations
 Possible Violations
• 1910.134(e)(1)-respirator medical monitoring-
although extensive medical monitoring is not
required under the OSHA silica standards,
medical evaluations ARE required under the
respirator standard and more extensive medical
monitoring can (and should) be required during
settlement negotiations.
• 1910.1200-pay particular attention that hazard
communication training includes silica hazards
 Possible Violations
• 1910.1200(f)-labeling,
especially concrete slabs
• 1910.22(a)(1)-
housekeeping, piles of silica
should be cleaned promptly
• 1910.94(a)-abrasive
blasting, lots of
requirements about the blast
enclosures and PPE
• 1926.21(b)(2)-training
 Protect Yourself!!!
• Wear your respirator with
N-100 filters
• Wear tyveks
• Shoe coverings
REMEMBER TO KEEP
THE SILICA IN THE
INDUSTRIAL
ENVIRONMENT, NOT IN
YOUR CAR OR HOME!!!
 Engineering Controls

SUBSTITUTION, VENTILATION, WET METHODS

Numerous controls can be found on the OSHA
website www.osha.gov and the NIOSH website
www.cdc.gov/niosh
SUBSTITITION – is always necessary to control
sandblasting exposures unless small parts are being
blasted in an abrasive blasting cabinet
VENTILATION – can be difficult and time-consuming
but is always possible (except for sandblasting)
WET METHODS – work well in construction but
need LOTS of water
 Sandblasting Controls
• The only way to reduce exposures in
sandblasting is through substitution with a non-
silica abrasive
• Employers do not like to switch even though
non-silica abrasives are more effective and
less costly
• You have to convince them that non-silica
abrasives will work—they will still need
respirators but employees will not get silicosis
and employers will save $$$
 Sandblasting Controls
• The OSHA etool
(http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/
etools/silica/protect_against
/protect_against.html ) has
a detailed discussion of
non-silica abrasives
including a cost-comparison
example
• Review 1910.94(a) for
possible abrasive blasting
violations
• Remember 1910.244(b) for
deadman control on the
blasting nozzle
 Miscellaneous Inspection Tips
• Silica is an IARC Class 1A Carcinogen-probable human
carcinogen-and must be included on a MSDS if 0.1% or
greater is in a product
• N-95 respirators are allowed for routine overexposures
• Remember there are other health hazards on silica
inspections
– Noise
– Other air contaminants (metals, formaldehyde, etc.)
– Beryllium (found in the abrasive black beauty)
• Every silica overexposure can be eliminated – don’t take
TECHNICAL ABATEMENT for an answer!!
 OSHA References
• Silica, crystalline safety and health topics page-
this contains everything that OSHA knows about
silica and everything that you should know, too
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/silicacrystalline/index.ht
ml
• Silica etool-designed for employers and
employees, fun to use, great place to begin
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/silica/index.html
 OSHA References
• Silicosis outreach materials-the quickest
way to get a copy of the SEP
http://www.osha.gov/Training/Silicosis.html
• Silica slide presentation-discusses
everything you ever wanted to know about
silica analysis, but not sampling—good for
general information OR if you’re going to
court
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/multimedia.html
 Other References
• NIOSH has a silica safety and health
topics page with lots of good stuff
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/silica/default
.html
• The Marble Institute of America has an
alliance with OSHA and has produced
several CDs on safety/health issues
http://www.marble-institute.com/