Copper slag had it as well. Steel grit was low in toxicity as well as dust, as was specular hematite. Years ago, they probably put a handkerchief over their head. He notes that some industrial owners will not allow silica sand in their plants. The problem is being exacerbated because major industrial owners are contracting out to private firms work that they used to manage in-house and they are rewarding purchasing agents who get low prices, he says.
Bricklayers are at risk because of tools and work practices.
I've lost enough men. Even if your people are not generating the dust, it is doing the job with you or without you. So far, the chop saws are banned in Massachusetts, Detroit and some locals in Pennsylvania, among others. Water, for Christ's sake, it is cheap enough. They recognize the potential liability.