Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
															Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)


Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate





Silica...It's Not Just Dust: Silica Dust Causes Silicosis - What rock drillers can do to protect their lungs from silica dustEspañol (Spanish)										Related Pages
										July 1998
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 97-118
enclosed cabs protect drillers
What is Silicosis?
Silica Dust Causes Silicosis
sample of silica dust Silica is found in many rocks, sand, and construction materials. Silica dust is produced while drilling these materials. You can get a lung disease called silicosis by breathing very small silica particles into your lungs. These particles can be seen only with a microscope.
Silica Can Disable Or Kill You
Silicosis damages your lungs and makes it hard to breathe, increases your risk of lung infections, and may lead to heart failure. Silica may also cause cancer.
Silicosis Can Be Prevented But Not Cured.
How To Protect Yourself
Protect Yourself by Controlling Silica Dust
Maximize Dry Dust Collection
Provide inside corner flaps for deck shrouds (skirts).
Install an air-ring seal where the drill pipe passes through the drill deck.
Install or upgrade dust collector fans so the collector airflow/bailing airflow ratio is greater than 3:1.
When safe to do so, raise the level of the drill in steps as the job progresses to minimize dust leakage between the deck shrouds (skirt) and the ground.
Enclose the area around the collector discharge with brattice cloth or a flexible hose to prevent recirculation of dust that has already been collected.
Lower the deck shroud (skirt) after it has been lifted to shovel cuttings.
Use proper dust control equipment.Properly Maintain Dry Dust Collectors
Change collection filters according to the manufacturers’ directions or when they no longer clean properly.
Maintain deck shrouds (skirts). Replace torn shroud material and make sure the shroud is as long as possible, but try not to drag it on the ground when the drill is lowered.dust shrouds protect drillers
Maximize Wet Suppression
Add small amounts of water into bailing air. This is known as “wet drilling.”
Use equipment with a needle valve control for proper regulation of the water flow rate.
Add water slowly until the visible dust cloud has been significantly reduced.Properly Maintain Wet Suppression Devices
Use a water filter in front of the needle valve control so that it does not get blocked by small debris in the water system.
To increase bit life, do not use more water than is needed to control dust.Properly Use and Maintain Enclosed Cabs
Make sure enclosed cabs provide a sufficient flow of heating and cooling air.
Wash out the cab frequently, but do not sweep or use compressed air to blow out dust.
Replace torn or missing cab seals.
Keep the cab door closed when drilling.
Change air filters frequently.General Health Tips
When possible, do not stand in any visible cloud of dust.
Position drills with respect to prevailing winds whenever possible, and remain upwind of drill dust sources.
When using a respirator, follow directions and guidelines that are based on OSHA or MSHA regulations.For More Information
To order a free publication on preventing silicosis and deaths in rock drillers, or a respirator guide, call 1-800-35-NIOSH.
For more information on dust control techniques, call 1-800-35-NIOSH or the NIOSH Office of Mine Safety and Health Research at (412) 386-6602.
MSHA requires that water of other effective means be used to control dust when drilling. For more information call (703) 235-1358.
For more information on respirators, refer to OSHA’s publications office at (202) 219-4667.This bulletin was produced by an interagency team from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
							
					
						Page last reviewed:  June 6, 2014					Content source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health homeNIOSH Publications & Products
NIOSH-Issued Publications
Search NIOSHTIC-2 Research Database
Docket
Documents for Public Review
Peer Review Agenda
Databases
eNews
Federal Register Noticesplus icon
FRN Archive 2007-2010
FRN Archive 2005-2006
FRN Archive 2001-2004
FRN Archive 1996-2000
Press Releases and Updatesplus icon
Press Release Archives 2010-2013
Press Release Archives 2006-2009
Press Release Archives 2001-2005
Press Release Archives 1998-2000
Press Release Archives 1992-1997
Regulations
Regulatory Agenda
Science Blog
Software
Video Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue