Silicosis
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is found in stone, rocks, sands and clays.
Exposure to RCS over a long period can cause fibrosis (hardening or scarring) of the lung tissue with a consequent loss of lung function. Sufferers are likely to have severe shortness of breath and may find it difficult or impossible to walk even short distances or up stairs. The effect continues to develop after exposure has stopped and is irreversible. Sufferers usually become house- or bed-bound and often die prematurely due to heart failure.
Acute silicosis is a rare complication of short-term exposure to very large amounts of silica. This condition is life-threatening and associated with very significant clinical consequences.
Silica may also be linked to lung cancer. Precautions taken to control the risk of fibrosis will serve to control the risk of lung cancer. Workers with silicosis are at an increased risk of tuberculosis, kidney disease and arthritis. Exposure to RCS may also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Occupational risks
Occupations with exposure to RCS include: quarrying, slate works, foundries, potteries, stonemasonry, construction (when cutting or breaking stone, concrete or brick), and industries using silica flour to manufacture goods.
Different types of stone contain different amounts of silica.
| sandstone, gritstone, quartzite |
more than 70% |
| concrete, mortar |
25% to 70% |
| shale |
40% to 60% |
| china stone |
up to 50% |
| slate |
up to 40% |
| brick |
up to 30% |
| granite |
up to 30% |
| ironstone |
up to 15% |
| basalt, dolerite |
up to 5% |
| limestone, chalk, marble |
up to 2% (but these can contain silica layers) |
Respirable crystalline silica particles are produced during many work tasks, including sandblasting, mining, rock drilling, quarrying, brick cutting, glass manufacturing, tunnelling, foundry work, stone working, ceramic manufacturing and construction activities.
Controlling the risks
In Britain, RCS exposure has a workplace exposure limit (WEL), which contains exposure below a set limit, preventing excessive exposure. The WEL for RCS is 0.1 mg/m3 expressed as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). Exposure to RCS is also subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH).
There were 95 cases of silicosis in 2007 and 85 in 2008 reported from theIndustrial Injury Disablement Benefit (IIDB) scheme. There were 14 deaths from silicosis reported in 2006 and 7 in 2007.
Source HSE: http://www.hse.gov.uk/lung-disease/silicosis.htm
Views: 1234
Replies
Thanks Phil, however rare the condition, prevention is always better especially when there's no cure.
Note to self, be bothered enough to put the face mask on before cutting slabs/bricks.
Hi Ian
I wish I'd been more careful over the years. I do tend suffer if I'm cutting these days, even if I wear a dust mask.
I never worked out how to keep dust from entering a mask. They are OK when new but after half of a day, having put then on and taken them off endlessly, dust always tends to get inside the mask itself.
What do others do....change throw-away masks regularly through the day or use a more expensive rubber mask with disposable charcoal filters? I always found the latter too hot and sweaty.
I dont know if you are aware but the plant horsetail contains silica. I'm not sure how much of a problem it is but the plant gives off spores early in the season.
No, I didn't know that Stuart.
Stuart @ Eco garden maintenance said:
We wet cut, better cut and better for the blade, only takes five minutes to set an area with a hose/pallet etc
Thanks for that Paul
I do a lot of woodwork and suffer for days afterwards from the fine dust (especially when using African hardwood). I wonder if they will ship to France?
Paul @ PPCH Services said:
We used the wet cut facility on our Stihl disc cutter Peter but I found them vulnerable to breaking.
Peter Fowle said:
I often see contractors appear from behind a huge cloud of dust totally unprotected when cutting, It is always advisable to wear dust masks not only when cutting stone and concrete but also when using Silica sand commonly known as Kiln dried sand as this also contains harmful elements if precautions are not taken when using a vibrating plate. Wet cutting is always the best option if you can.
A guide for employees
Overview
This leaflet explains what employers and employees should do to prevent lung disease caused by exposure to silica at work. Silica is a natural substance found in most rocks, sand and clay and in products such as bricks and concrete. In the workplace these materials create dust when they are cut, sanded, carved etc. Some of this dust may be fine enough to breathe deeply into the lungs and cause harm to health. The fine dust is called respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and is too fine to see with normal lighting. The leaflet explains how RCS can damage health and what to do to prevent harm.
Keywords
Not found what you are looking for? You can also use the keywords below to search for related products.
Silica, RCS, Stone dust, Stonemasonry, Lung diseases, Dust inhalation, Dust exposure
Notes
This product is now available on a print on demand (POD) basis, so may have a longer than usual lead time.
Downloads
Where possible the HSE will provide a PDF version of documents. These documents can be viewed on your computer or printed on your own printer. You will require a viewer to view these files, one of these is available at the Adobe Acrobat site.
HSE
2013
HSE Books
5 pages
Pack
Industry Guidance Leaflet
INDG463
9780717665785
Open Government Licence
Overview
Do your workers wear a face mask at work? Do they always wear their mask when they should? Do they check it and look after it properly?
This easy to follow pocket card is aimed at workers. It covers the key points about wearing a face mask to make sure it is effective.
Keywords
Not found what you are looking for? You can also use the keywords below to search for related products.
Respiratory, Mask, Breathing, Protective equipment, RPE
Downloads
Where possible the HSE will provide a PDF version of documents. These documents can be viewed on your computer or printed on your own printer. You will require a viewer to view these files, one of these is available at the Adobe Acrobat site.
HSE
2013
HSE Books
Pack
Industry Guidance Leaflet
INDG460
9780717665327
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