Hazards of Silica

One of the most dangerous things about working with concrete (and other associated materials) is Silica. It is so dangerous, that OSHA has a special program in place just for it.

How do you protect against it, who do you protect, and when is it time to put protection in place? Most folks from "the old school" say when you can't see the guy working in it, its time to put protection in place. BAD IDEA!!

You see the thing about Silica is that it really is nothing more than very tiny pieces of glass. When this gets into the lungs it just causes so much damage. Then the lung scars over the damage, impairing its ability to function properly. And to top all, there is no cure for it!! So when do you protect? I say immediately. Now there is a PEL and TWA for it, but do you really want to cut corners and wait until you must do something? Well they're your employees and you have a responsibility not only to them, but to their families, to do the right thing.

http://www.oshainfo.gatech.edu/silica-matrix.pdf