Crystalline silica exposure continues to be a serious threat in the workplace, so it’s important to educate employees on the risks involved. In order to do that, make sure your employees know all about what silica is and where it’s found.
The main varieties of crystalline silica are the rocks quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite. Crystalline silica is used in manufacturing, household abrasives, adhesives, paints, soaps, and glass.
So we know that silica is in rocks—almost all of the rocks on earth—and we know that rocks are part of many materials in construction and other industries. So that means silica is pretty much everywhere. Silica is really only dangerous if it’s in its respirable dust form, though, so it’s important to be aware of the materials and environments where the silica commonly becomes respirable.
These materials are common in construction, and many of them are worked with in such a way as to produce a respirable dust.
Common stone types that contain silica include granite, limestone, quartzite, sandstone, shale, and slate.
It’s important to keep employers and employees informed about silica, including exactly what it is, where it’s found, and what the safety requirements are. Download this free ebook today and share it with your employees to educate them on the facts about silica. You’ll even find some employee training material inside if you’re ready to make a change.