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Silica Resources

Caesarstone Master of Stone Training Program

In addition to the Silica Training Program brought to you by ISFA, NSI and Daltile, ISFA members have another opportunity to expand their understanding and knowledge of silica related safety through Caesarstone's Master of Stone Training Center.

Click here to learn more about the Caesarstone Master of Stone Training Center

ISFA, NSI, Daltile Partnering To Bring Silica Training Program to Fabricators

ISFA is teaming up with the Natural Stone Institute in 2020 in an effort to improve safety in fabricating products that contain silica for everyone in the surfacing industry. In 2020, all ISFA Fabricator Members (new or renewing) will receive Silica Training Kits sponsored by Daltile and courtesy of ISFA and NSI which highlight OSHA recommended best practices. Because of the critical nature of the potential dangers facing fabricators, the two organizations are teaming up for the betterment of the entire industry and all those working in it, and Daltile has agreed to help with the costs involved in creating and distributing the programming.

Workers involved in manufacturing, finishing and installing natural and manufactured stone countertop products in fabrication shops and during in-home finishing/installation are at risk of exposure to hazardous airborne crystalline silica and lifelong health consequences.

OSHA’s new Respirable Crystalline Silica regulations have stringent requirements for protecting the 2.3 million workers who are exposed to this hazard at work.

The training kits that all ISFA Fabricator Members will receive, will have flash drives with downloadable documents and training that includes the following programs:

  • Silicosis: An Industry Guide to Awareness and Prevention
  • Silica Exposure Standard and OSHA Compliance
  • Toolbox Talk: What is Crystalline Silica?
  • Toolbox Talk: Crystalline Silica Exposure Prevention
  • Implementing a Silica Exposure Control Plan for Your Company
  • How To Use the OSHA Voluntary Inspection Program to Monitor Silica Exposure
  • A Sample Silica Exposure Control Plan for General Industry
  • An OSHA Inspection Planning Checklist
  • Creating a Safety Program – Where To Start
  • Basics of OSHA Compliance
  • No Place for Complacency
  • Onsite OSHA Consultation
  • Requirements for Personal Protective Equipment 

Thank you to our Partners
     

 

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Silica Education

Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in many naturally occurring materials and industrial products. RCS consists of very small silica particles, 100 times smaller than ordinary beach sand, and can be generated by operations like cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling and crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar and when abrasive blasting with sand. Exposure to RCS can also occur during manufacture of products such as glass, pottery, ceramics, bricks, concrete, countertops and artificial stone and as a result of foundry and hydraulic fracking operations. Inhalation of elevated levels of RCS is a health hazard that can cause diseases including silicosis, an incurable lung disease, and lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease.

OSHA's Silica Rule
Resource credit: Natural Stone Institute

OSHA released its long-anticipated rule reducing the permissible exposure level (PEL) for crystalline silica for general industry and construction.  The rule cuts the respirable silica PEL from 100 µg/m3for an 8-hour time weighted average to 50 µg/m3. The rule was broken into two separate standards—one for the General Industry & Maritime (affecting employees in stone fabrication shops), and one for Construction (affecting employees working at jobsites in the field). OSHA’s Silica Rule went into effect on June 23, 2016. 

Since a portion of the stone industry will be covered under the “construction” standard and others under the “general industry” standard, the following documents and links are provided for quick reference:

Employers covered by the Construction Standard had until September 23, 2017 to comply with most requirements outlined in the standard. Employers covered by the maritime and General Industry Standard will have until June 23, 2018 (two years from the effective date) to comply. 

Companies are encouraged to assess their current silica exposure risks and safety efforts to ensure they are compliant with the new OSHA ruling.  In fabrication shops where no monitoring has occurred, it is recommended to conduct breathing zone sampling. Continue to utilize wet cutting and other 'best practices' that limit silica exposure whenever possible.