13 Ways of precaution from Silicosis hazards

Definition:-Silicosis is a disease that develops when craftwork in the silica environment for long periods.it Is a disabling, nonreversible, and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to respirable crystalline silica, in addition, it can also cause, tuberculosis and bronchitis there is no proper cure for this disease but is preventable its main source is silica which is found in abundance in the earth crust and its major component is sand.

Effect on the lungs:-Silica dust reduces the lung’s ability to extract due to overexposure because it contains microscopic particles of crystalline silica that cause scar tissue in the lungs.

Types of silicosis

1. Chronic Silicosis -It develops when the workforce or the said is exposed to silica dust after 10 or more years.
2. Accelerated Silicosis -This results due to higher exposures from 5 to 10 years.
3. Acute Silicosis -It occurs where exposures are the highest and can develop within a few weeks or in 5 years.

Who are at risk

1. All those who work in a dusty environment is having a major chance to get silicosis.
2. If someone is already exposed to silicosis the crafts who comes in contact with the person has a major chance to develop silicosis.

Sources of silica dust

1. Ceramic clay and pottery
2. Foundry work (grinding, moulding, shakeout, core room).
3. Construction industry I,e, Sandblasting, rock drilling, masonry work, jackhammering, tunneling.
4. Glass manufacturing.
5. Abrasive blasting, chipping, grinding

Symptoms of Silicosis

1. Loss of appetite and fatigue
2. Severe cough and chest pain
3. Fever
4. Shortness of breath

Diagnosis for silicosis

1. The craft needs to undergo a medical examination which includes complete work history, chest X-ray and lung function test
2. The safety body NIOSH recommends medical examinations before the job replacement or upon entering a new trade or at least 3 years after the job.
3. The Craft needs to visit a Medical practitioner if he or she is overexposed to silica dust.

Prevention from Silicosis

1. Use less hazardous material than silica during abrasive blasting and cleaning.
2. Remove the dust by water hose or vacuum hose and practice wet sweeping rather than dry sweeping.
3. The engineering control method in the form of installation of exhaust vents, dust collection system, and water sprays must be implemented to suppress the silica dust.
4. An approved respirator or positive pressure abrasive respirator must be utilized to avoid exposure.
5. A neat and clean environment is required in the lunch and dining area in addition proper hand wash is required.
6. If there is feasibility employer needs to provide changing rooms and bathing rooms to avoid exposure.
7. Eating and drinking must not be practiced in a dusty environment.
8. Poster and flyers need to be installed in the working areas to generate awareness among the workforce and the company must be having a written respiratory safety plan approved by the client.
9. Rules of safety must not be breached at any cost in the working areas.
10. Periodic medical surveillance is required for the workforce to check the exposure level.
11. The workforce training must be made mandatory prior to the work in such environments.
12. Air monitoring must be done in the working areas to check the quality.
13. Proper PPE must be worn prior to the start of the work.

Final Words

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Finally, if we want to save the workforce from silica and its hazards we need to avoid working in a silica environment but this is practically not feasible so the case is we need to train the workforce in such a manner so that they will set a standard for their peers and folks by complying all the set rules of safety pertaining to the subject and should be motivated in such a manner not to breach the law at any cost.

Love to read more about the stated topic lets have a look at the silica hazards and precaution HAZARD ALERT | Worker Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing and Installation | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov).

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From My Blog 13 Ways Of Precaution From Silicosis Hazards — The Sense Mission