G4: Silica Exposure for Engineered Stone Countertop Fabricators

Greater Columbus Convention Center 

Room: A 210 

CM Credit Hours: 1 

Silica has long been recognized as a pervasive occupational inhalation hazard, with a history of extensive study in the fields of occupational health and industrial hygiene. Despite this wealth of knowledge, silica-related lung diseases (e.g., silicosis and lung cancer) continue to persist. With the rapid technological advancements in materials and processes employed by the construction industry, new challenges have emerged regarding the understanding of silica as a short- and long-term hazard. A noticeable example is the recent global outbreaks of accelerated silicosis within the countertop fabrication and installation trade. The increasing incidence of silicosis has raised concerns regarding exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) associated with engineered stone (ES). Unlike natural stone, which contains 2 to 50% crystalline silica, engineered stone often comprises over 90% crystalline silica. The greater crystalline silica content of ES results in greater RCS exposures from cutting and sanding the stone. This session will explore: 1) existing regulations governing RCS exposure in the construction sector; 2) research on RCS exposures in ES countertop fabrication compared to regulatory standards; 3) the various factors and controls that impact airborne RCS exposure levels; 4) modern dust monitoring technologies; and 5) strategies for conducting RCS exposure assessments.

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

• Describe U.S. regulations that govern RCS exposure in construction.
• Characterize the health hazards associated with RCS in engineered stone fabrication.
• Identify ES countertop fabrication practices that may result in elevated inhalation exposures.
• Determine effective RCS exposure controls for ES countertop fabrication workers.
• Examine monitoring technologies and methodologies to aid exposure assessments.
• Implement RCS exposure assessment strategies for regulatory compliance and worker protection.
• Provide effective risk communication to impacted workers and other stakeholders. 

Intermediate

Polling

Corporation/Company

Construction

Engineering

Manufacturing

Aerosols & Airborne Particulates

Available as part of AIHA CONNECT OnDemand

Construction

Hazard Recognition/Exposure Assessment