When it comes to dust exposure, specifically exposure to silica dust, there is an increased risk for specific illnesses. These illnesses will affect each worker differently but have the potential to affect nasal passage, the esophagus, the lungs, aplastic anemia, the kidney, stomach, blood/blood-forming organs, and varying bones.
Each of these organs is at risk depending on what trade you and your workers are in. These trades include, but are not limited to construction, timber, brick masonry, concrete mixing, carpentry, plastering, roofing, electrician, plumber, painter, pipefitter, and steel erector. Due to the type of work involved in these trades, different organs may be affected. Here are the most common:
Construction
- The esophagus
- The lungs
- The stomach
- The blood/blood-forming organs
Timber
- The esophagus
- The lungs
- The blood/blood-forming organs
Brick Masonry
- The esophagus
- The stomach
- Varying bones
Concrete Mixing
- The kidneys
- The stomach
- Varying bones
Carpentry
- The esophagus
- The lungs
Plastering
- The esophagus
- The lungs
- The stomach
Roofing
- The esophagus
- The lungs
- The stomach
Electrician
- The lungs
- The aplastic anemia
Plumber
- The lungs
Painter
- The lungs
- The nasal cavity
Pipefitter
- The lungs
Steel Erector
- The lungs
Control the Dust Your Employees are Exposed to
There are three ways OSHA suggests removing silica dust particulates. These will aid with engineering control methods and provide more methods for future silica dust exposure:
- Wet saws, drills, and other means of breaking material should be used to subdue the hazards.
- Engineering control means should be used to extract, ventilate, and remove the immanent silica dust near production.
- There should be enclosures within facilities to isolate the silica dust area and the workers who are not in that area.
OSHA’s whole initiative against crystalline silica dust is to protect the 2.3 million people now exposed to silica at work and to protect those who will be going into an industry that is exposed to silica while on the job. The most common illnesses a person exposed to crystalline silica dust can experience are:
- Silicosis – a lung disease that results in disability and death.
- Lung cancer – which shows symptoms, such as chest pain, wheezing, and weight loss. These symptoms only show themselves when the cancer is advanced.
- Kidney disease – where fluid builds up in your body and, without treatment, your kidneys can fail to result in death.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – begins as flu-like symptoms, but then results in tightness in your chest and needing to catch your breath.
Removing silica from the lungs is not possible, because once crystalline silica dust is airborne and inhaled it has a lethal effect. We urge you to invest in a dust collection system to protect your workers from the imminent threat of dust.