Page 119 - Safety Memo

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• The load limit is one person per scaffold. For additional information on the hazards and control of silica
1654(d) exposures see the Hazards of Silica in Construction eTool
(www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/etools/08-019/index.htm).
• Fall protection or railings are required. 1654(c)
Before beginning work that could expose employees to
crystalline silica, employers must comply with the following
Silica Dust NEW Silica Standard 2016 requirements:
A. Employers must monitor and control employees’ exposure to
Construction work that involves exposure to crystalline silica
containing materials can cause lung diseases. These silica airborne contaminants. 5155(c),(e), 1530
containing materials include (but are not limited to): B. During operations in which powered tools or equipment are
used to cut, grind, core, or drill rock, concrete or masonry
• Airborne sand
materials, a dust reduction system shall be applied to control
• Rock employee exposures to airborne particulate. For exceptions
see 1530.1.
• Ceramic and terracotta tiles
C. Operations in which employees may be repeatedly exposed
• Concrete and concrete block to rock dust or sand should be evaluated by an individual
competent in industrial hygiene practice. Assistance can also
• Manufactured stone
be obtained from the Cal/OSHA Consultation Services.
• Roof tiles
D. Employers must train supervisors and employees prior to
• Bricks and blocks their job assignments. The training shall be provided at least
annually and include, but not be limited to, the following:
• Grouts and mortar 1530.1(e)
• Some joint compounds 1. Safety and health hazards of silica dust overexposure.
• Abrasive materials 2. Methods used by the employer to control employee
exposures to airborne silica dust.
Exposure to crystalline silica can cause a variety of lung
diseases including silicosis, lung cancer, COPD (chronic 3. Proper use and maintenance of dust reduction systems.
obstructive pulmonary disease), decreased lung function, and 4. The importance of good personal hygiene and
increased likelihood of getting tuberculosis. Although most housekeeping practices.
cases of silicosis develop after years of exposure, instances
of extremely high exposure have resulted in illness and even 5. Proper use of respirators when required. 5144, 5194
death in a matter of weeks. Airborne permissible exposure limits
(PELs) are established for several different forms of crystalline
silica. These limits range from 0.05 to 0.1 mg/m3 of respirable Stairways
dust, expressed as an 8hour TWA (see Table AC-1 of 5155).
Stairways are an acceptable method for gaining access to floors
Hazardous work activities include abrasive blasting with sand and working levels of buildings and scaffolds.
and loading, dumping, chipping, hammering, cutting, and
drilling of rock, sand, or concrete. Generally during work on In addition to the stairways required, buildings 60 ft. or more in
materials, such as rock or concrete that contain a significant height or 48 ft. below ground level require an elevator. 1630(a)
amount of silica (20% or greater), continuous exposure to a Stairways must be installed as follows:
visible cloud of dust will probably result in levels of exposure
that exceed the PELs. However, in some cases the PELs can be A. In buildings of up to three stories or 36 ft. in height, at least
exceeded even when there is no visible cloud of dust. one stairway is required. 1629(a)(4)

126 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 Cal/OSHA Pocket Guide for the Construction Industry | June 2015 127