Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica with Respirator Fit Testing
Managing the Risks of Respirable Crystalline Silica with Respirator Fit Testing
Silica is found in a range of products and materials made of stone such as sandstone, mortar, as well as composite materials such as engineered stone products, among others. When found in its solid form, silica dust does not have hazardous properties, however in crystalline form, it is a health hazard that can cause long-term damage to workers who are exposed to silica dust. Workers who are employed in the building and construction industry are most prone to inhaling respirable crystalline silica as it is a by-product of various manufacturing and building processes. These small respirable particles are created from a range of workplace processes such as cutting, grinding, trimming, and polishing of engineered stone products, brick, mortar and concrete.
Due to the small size of the respirable particles, breathing in crystalline silica can be lodged deep into the lungs causing diseases such as silicosis, lung cancer, chronic pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease. Without the implementation of control measures and air monitoring programs, the risk if silica dust can be further increased by poor workplace practices such as dry sweeping or using inadequate mechanical cleaning equipment not designed for use with hazardous dust.
Australian Regulations on the Exposure of Respirable Crystalline Silica
Workplace exposure standards (WES) determine the maximum exposure limits to which workers can be exposure to particular hazards. Safe Work Australia develops national policy to improve work health and safety of workers in Australia. On the 1st July 2020, Safe Work Australia reduced the exposure standard for respirable crystalline silica dust from an eight-hour time-weighted average of 0.1 mg/m3 to 0.05 mg/m3. Employers must comply with the WES and ensure workers exposure to respirable crystalline silica is as low as reasonably practical. Control measures for silica dust includes elimination, substitution, isolation, administrative controls, engineering controls, ventilation and the use of respiratory protective equipment.
The combination of a range of approaches with the use of personal protective equipment and regular training have been proven to be effective in managing the risk of silica dust and reducing the exposure of respirable crystalline silica in the workplace.
Administrative and Engineered Controls to Reduce the Risk of Respirable Crystalline Silica in the Workplace
Elimination of the risk or substitution is often regarded as the most effective control. However, that is not always feasible which is why additional measures should be implemented to ensure exposure limits do not exceed 0.005 mg/m3.
Isolation – use barriers or distance to protect workers from exposure to silica dust e.g. an enclosed room to conduct dust generating tasks
Engineering controls – use engineering controls to minimise the risk of exposure e.g. water suppression, local exhaust ventilation or tools with dust collection attachments
Administrative controls – use administrative controls to provide additional protection e.g. written rules and policies, training and shift rotations
Personal Protective Equipment to Minimise the Risk of Respirable Crystalline Silica in the Workplace
All Australian workplaces are required by law to ensure the health and safety of their workers and others at their workplace. An important measure that must be considered, in addition to air quality monitoring, is to ensure correct and effective use of respirators in building and construction environments. Respirators are highly effective personal protective equipment that safeguard individuals against a range of contaminants in the air when worn and fitted correctly however, not all respirators “fit” everyone in the same way. Factors such as face shape, facial hair, the design and size of the mask are just some of the factors that can affect the protection offered by respirators which is why it is important that every worker is fit tested.
The AS/NZS 1715-2009 Standard for the selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment specifies that respirator fit testing is required to assess and confirm the proper fit and use of a respirator to protect users against hazardous particles. The OHD Quantifit 2 is a quantitative respirator fit tester utilises the proven and patented technology, Controlled Negative Pressure (CNP) technology, to measure respirator leakage. Unlike qualitative respirator fit testing equipment, the OHD QuantiFit 2 is completely portable and does not require consumables such as wicks, alcohol solutions and particles to conduct each fit test and is locally serviced and calibrated by Air-Met Scientific making it a cost-efficient and effective option for fit testing.
Air-Met Scientific is the exclusive distributor of the OHD Global product range in Australia. To learn more about the QuantiFit 2 Fit Tester or to request a demonstration, contact your local Air-Met Scientific representative today!
