NYPD Access Policy for Building Owners and Contractors Oct 2001

Crystalline Silica Exposure in Crystalline Silica Exposure in Crystalline Silica Exposure in the Construction Industry the Construction Industry the Construction Industry Occupational Safety and Health Occupational Safety and Health Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. Department of Labor Administration U.S. Department of Labor Administration U.S. Department of Labor

Health Hazard Information Card w Health Hazard Information Card ’ w Health Hazard Information Card ’ • What is crystalline silica (quartz)? • What is crystalline silica (quartz)? The terms “crystalline silica” and “quartz" refer to the same thing. • What is crystalline silica (quartz)? The terms “crystalline silica" and “quartz" refer to the same thing. The terms “crystalline silica” and “quartz” refer to the same thing. Crystalline silica is a natural constituent of the earth’s crust and is Crystalline silica is a natural constituent of the earth’s crust and is Crystalline silica is a natural constituent of the earth’s crust and is a basic component of sand and granite. a basic component of sand and granite. a basic component of sand and granite. • What is silicosis? • What is silicosis? Silicosis is a disease of the lungs due to breathing of dust • What is silicosis? Silicosis is a disease of the lungs due to breathing of dust containing crystalline silica particles. This dust can cause fibrosis Silicosis is a disease of the lungs due to breathing of dust containing crystalline silica particles. This dust can cause fibrosis or scar tissue formations in the lungs that reduce the lung’s ability containing crystalline silica particles. This dust can cause fibrosis or scar tissue formations in the lungs that reduce the lung’s ability to woric to extract oxygen from the air. There is no cure for this or scar tissue formations in the lungs that reduce the lung’s ability to woric to extract oxygen from the air. There is no cure for this disease, thus, prevention is the only answer. to work to extract oxygen from the air. There is no cure for this disease, thus, prevention is the only answer. disease, thus, prevention is the only answer. • What are the symptoms of silicosis? • What are the symptoms of silicosis? • What are the symptoms of silicosis? There are several stages of silicosis. Early stages may go There are several stages of silicosis. Early stages may go completely unnoticed. Continued exposure may result in the There are several stages of silicosis. Early stages may go completely unnoticed. Continued exposure may result in the completely unnoticed. Continued exposure may result in the exposed person noticing a shortness of breath upon exercising, exposed person noticing a shortness of breath upon exercising, possible fever and occasionally bluish skin at the ear lobes or lips. exposed person noticing a shortness of breath upon exercising, possible fever and occasionally bluish skin at the ear lobes or lips. possible fever and occasionally bluish skin at the ear lobes or lips. Silicosis makes a person more susceptible to infectious diseases Silicosis makes a person more susceptible to infectious diseases of the lungs like tuberculosis. Progression of the disease leads to Silicosis makes a person more susceptible to infectious diseases of the lungs like tuberculosis. Progression of the disease leads to of the lungs like tuberculosis. Progression of the disease leads to fatigue, extreme shortness of breath, loss of appetite, pain in the fatigue, extreme shortness of breath, loss of appetite, pain in the chest, and respiratory failure, which all may lead eventually to fatigue, extreme shortness of breath, loss of appetite, pain in the chest, and respiratory failure, which all may lead eventually to chest, and respiratory failure, which all may lead eventually to death. Acute silicosis may develop after short periods of death. Acute silicosis may develop after short periods of exposure. Chronic silicosis usually occurs after 10 or more years death. Acute silicosis may develop after short periods of exposure. Chronic silicosis usually occurs after 10 or more years exposure. Chronic silicosis usually occurs after 10 or more years of exposure to lower levels of quartz. of exposure to lower levels of quartz. of exposure to lower levels of quartz. • Where are construction workers exposed to • Where are construction workers exposed to • Where are construction workers exposed to c crystalline silica dust? o E The most severe exposures to crystalline silica result from crystalline silica dust? crystalline silica dust? The most severe exposures to crystalline silica result from The most severe exposures to crystalline silica result fijom o sandblasting to remove paint and rust from stone buildings, metal o sandblasting to remove paint and rust from stone buildings, metal sandblasting to remove paint and rust from stone buildings, metal Q bridges, tanks, and other surfaces. Other activities that may bridges, tanks, and other surfaces. Other activities that may bridges, tanks, and other surfaces. Other activities that may ro produce crystalline silica dust include jack hammering, rockZwell produce crystalline silica dust include jack hammering, rockZwell produce crystalline silica dust include jack hammering, rock/well O) ■c o drilling, concrete mixing, concrete drilling, and brick and drilling, concrete mixing, concrete drilling, and brick and lO concrete block cutting and sawing. Tunneling operations; repair drilling, concrete mixing, concrete drilling, and brick and Q- concrete block cutting and sawing.. Tunneling operations; repair concrete block cutting and sawing. Tunneling operations; repair o> O or replacement of linings of rotary kilns and cupola furnaces; and or replacement of linings of rotary kilns and cupola furnaces; and * setting, laying, and repair of railroad track are potential sources of or replacement of linings of rotary kilns and cupola fiimaces; and o setting, laying, and repair of railroad track are potential sources of setting, laying, and repair of railroad track are potential sources of o Q- crystalline silica exposure. crystalline silica exposure. crystalline silica exposure. o' O >- d z 2