Scout's Toolbox Talks

Silica dust is a serious hazard on construction sites—especially during cutting, grinding, drilling, or demolishing concrete, brick, or stone. Inhaling it can cause permanent lung damage and deadly diseases.

Why It Matters:

Breathing in fine silica particles can lead to silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease. These illnesses don’t show up right away—making them even more dangerous over time. Protecting workers from silica exposure is both a health and legal requirement.

Key Points:

• Tasks like jackhammering, concrete sawing, and brick cutting release respirable crystalline silica.
• Dry cutting without controls produces the highest levels of dust.
• Use wet methods, dust collection systems, or HEPA vacuums to suppress and capture dust at the source.
• Wear the correct respirator if engineering controls don’t reduce exposure below permissible limits.
• Keep work areas well-ventilated and isolate dusty operations when possible.
• OSHA requires a written exposure control plan and training for all affected workers.

✅ Silica isn’t just dust—it’s a deadly hazard. Control it before it harms your lungs.

Ask the Crew:

• Are we using water or vacuums during dust-producing work?
• Who here has been fit-tested for a respirator?
• Do we know the signs of overexposure?

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