NIOSH Publication No. 2006-110:
Silicosis - Working with Cement Roofing Tiles: A Silica Hazard
2006

Although respirable silica is a recognized health hazard in the construction industry, only recently has this exposure been documented in roofers. NIOSH has measured respirable silica levels up to four times the recommended exposure limit around roofers cutting cement products such as when roofing tiles are cut during the installation process. This cutting generates clouds of silica-containing dust. Respirable silica exposure may also occur when blowers or dry sweeping methods are used to clean the roof. This practice can produce large silica-containing dust clouds. NIOSH does not recommend this practice. Anyone who inhales dust generated by cutting cement tiles or cleaning the residue will be exposed to respirable silica, placing them at risk for developing silicosis.

What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing dust that has silica in it. The term “respirable silica” is used for silica particles that are small enough to be inhaled and deposited in the deepest parts of the lung. If workers inhale too much respirable silica dust, it causes scar tissue to develop in the lungs, resulting in silicosis. Lung damage may be permanent and disabling and may lead to death. There is no cure for silicosis, but it can be prevented.

Symptoms of Silicosis

Symptoms of silicosis may include
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Severe cough
Chest pain
These symptoms can become worse over time. It is important to see a doctor if you have these symptoms. Be sure to tell your doctor about your job and any silica exposures, so he or she can consider silicosis as a possible cause of your symptoms.

The Facts

Cement tiles are used on roofs across the United States but are more common in the Southern states.
Cement tiles can contain silica. The silica content of cement tiles should be listed by the tile manufacturer on a material safety data sheet.
Cutting, crushing, drilling, or blasting the tiles creates silica-containing dust, which workers breathe in.
Overexposure to silica can cause silicosis.
Over 1,000,000 U.S. workers are at risk for developing silicosis each year.
Each year more than 200 U.S. workers die from silicosis and hundreds more become disabled.
Over 1,000,000 U.S. workers are at risk for developing silicosis each year.
Each year more than 200 U.S. workers die from silicosis and hundreds more become disabled.

Taking Steps to Protect Workers

Controlling exposure to silica dust at the source should be the primary means for protecting workers from silicosis. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is working with employers and employees in the roofing industry to
better understand which tasks in tile roofing may expose roofers to silica dust, and identify practical and effective ways to reduce exposures to silica.
NIOSH is working with roofers, roofing contractors, tile manufacturers, and other interested parties to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of engineering controls for cutting concrete roofing tiles such as:
Wet cutting methods (water spray or mist)
Local exhaust/vacuum system
Cutting station on the ground to reduce exposure of coworkers
Using Respirators
Until respirable silica exposures can be eliminated or reduced below current guidelines, a respirator program should be established.

Steps for implementing a respirator program include:
Regular air monitoring
Training for workers using respirators
Use of proper NIOSH approved respirators
A medical examination of the worker’s ability to work while using a respirator
Testing to make sure respirators fit
Maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and storage of respirators
For more information about respirator programs, including what respirators have received NIOSH approval as safe and effective, please visit the NIOSH website at: http://www.cdc.%20gov/niosh and click on the respirator link.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) works to assure safe and healthy conditions for workers through research, education and training in occupational safety and health.
For more information about silica health effects and prevention methods contact us at:
NIOSHHazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance Branch4676 Columbia Parkway, MS R-10Cincinnati, OH 45226-1998(p): 513-841-4386(f): 513-458-7105
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674)Fax: 513-533-8573E-mail: pubstaft@cdc.gov

Trench Safety Awareness Material from NIOSH

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2006-133D/

A nice module for trench safety awareness.

Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign Press Kit

OSHA Kicks Off New Summer Job Safety Campaign for Teen Workers
OSHA and PLANET Renew Alliance
Remarks by Assistant Secretary Foulke
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Bio
Drop In Articles
Teens Focus of New OSHA Multi-year Summer Job Safety Campaign
OSHA Offers Tips on Protecting Working Teens from Pesticide Hazards
OSHA Offers Tips on Protecting Working Teens from Injury in Landscaping
Protect Your Working Teens from Strains and Sprains
Teen Workers Web page

Directorate of Construction:
Highway Work Zones and Signs, Signals, and Barricades

Highway, road, street, bridge, tunnel, utility, and other workers for the highway infrastructure are exposed to hazards from outside and inside the work zone. Falls, electrical, struck-by, and caught between are the common hazards found in this type of work. Guidance for the set-up of work zone signs, barricades, flagging, etc. are found in the Department of Transportation's "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)." The MUTCD is referenced in 1926 Subpart G.
Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Internet Pages, Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Internet Pages, the DOT/FHWA Internet pages contain links to their statistics and related information.
Federal Highway Administration's, 23 CFR 630 Subpart J "Work Zone Safety and Mobility" rule. The text of the final rule and informational materials are located at this website.
The DOT/FHWA Internet pages contain links to their statistics and other information.
National Highway Work Zone Week information.
DOT/FHWA's Current Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
Federal Highway Administration.
DOT/FHWA's 1988 Edition, Revision 3, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. DOT/FHWA Part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD): "Standards and Guides for Traffic Controls for Street and Highway Construction, Maintenance, Utility, and Incident Management Operations," 1988 edition, Revision 3, September 3, 1993.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a safety and health topics page about workers in highway construction work zones that are exposed to risk of injury from the movement of construction vehicles and equipment within the work zones, as well as from passing motor vehicle traffic.
NIOSH: "Building Safer Highway Work Zones: Measures to Prevent Worker Injuries From Vehicles and Equipment." DHHS/NIOSH Pub. No. 2001-128. This April 2001 document presents a list of interventions discussed during a workshop with over 30 industry participants. It is available at no charge by calling NIOSH at toll-free 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674). Training Materials
Roadway Safety Training Program, this program was developed through an OSHA Susan Harwoord Grant and is available in English and Spainish at the Texas A and M University's "National Work Zone Safety Information Clearing House" Internet page. Standards and Guidance
OSHA Interpretation Letters
Signaling and Barricades to Highway Construction Projects. (1991, July 24), 1 page. Application of 1926.201 and 1926.202 to highway construction.
Federal Register
1926, Safety Standards for Signs, Signals, and Barricades. Effective December 11, 2002. Alliance
The Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Coalition Alliance. The members of this Alliance are: American Road and Transportation Builders Association, International Union of Operating Engineers, Laberers' International Union of North America, National Asphalt Pavement Association, National Institue of Occupational Saftey and Health, and OSHA. This Alliance was formed to evelop hazard awareness training and education programs on roadway work zone safety and health issues.

OSHA CONTINUES TO SUPPORT CAMPAIGN

TO PROTECT HIGHWAY WORKERS

WASHINGTON -- "Working at the Speed of Night" was the theme for this year's National Work Zone Awareness Week, the seventh annual event that highlights safety awareness for workers in highway work zones. Sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the event ran from April 3-9 and focused on the dangers associated with night work zones. The District of Columbia hosted this year's affair, which began with a special National Media Event near the U.S. Capitol.The FHWA, along with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and the American Traffic Safety Services Association, established the annual National Work Zone Awareness Week held every year in April. Through a large network of government and industry partners, including OSHA, the week of national, state and local public activities seeks to raise public awareness about the need for driving safely in work zones. The FHWA has posted a separate page on its Web site that spotlights worker safety and visibility.According to the FHWA, the seven-year period ending in 2004 saw nearly a 50 per cent increase in work zone fatalities. In 2004, there were an estimated 1,068 fatalities in work zones. While 80 per cent of those fatalities involved motorists, construction workers and other employees laboring in highway work zones do fall victim to work zone hazards.More information on highway work zone safety in general and the week's events in particular, is available on FHWA's Safety Page on their Web site.Additionally, OSHA has a variety of resources that focus on health and safety for construction employees and others working in highway work zones. For example, OSHA's Directorate of Construction fashioned a Web site dedicated to Highway Work Zones and Signs, Signals, and Barricades. OSHA's safety and health topics page entitled "Motor Vehicle Safety" focuses on the entire issue of safety on the highways. Finally, OSHA recently concluded a successful two year alliance with the Roadway Work Zone Safety and Health Coalition. The Coalition included the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA), American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), and the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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PAINTING & SAFETY
Tips for Avoiding Accidents
By Barry R. Weissman, REM, CSP, CHMM, CHS-III

Catherine has asked me to add some suggestions about how to paint safely to the above article. How could I turn her down? If you plan to do some painting - at home or at work - take the following precautions:
Use your tools correctly:
Open paint cans with a paint-can opener, not a screwdriver or claw hammer;
If you’re spray-painting, use the correct type of respiratory protection; and
Don’t stand on the top step of any ladder.
If using an a-frame ladder, make sure you:
Use one that is tall enough so you don’t have to use the top three steps;
Open the ladder fully; and
Make sure the ladder is on a firm, level surface.
If using an extension ladder, be sure to:
Keep in mind that extension ladders are not designed to use the sections separately;
Position the ladder at a 75 degree angle from the wall;
Use the diagram on the side of the ladder or do the following:
Set the ladder in place against the wall or building;
Stand facing the ladder with your toes touching the feet of the ladder and raise your arms, so they are parallel to the ground; and
If the angle of the ladder is correct, your fingers should just be touching the side-rails.
If you have to get onto a roof or other level, use a ladder that will extend at least three rungs higher than your level. This provides you with a handle to assist with the transition; and
Most importantly: TIE OFF THE LADDER to the building or have a helper block and steady the ladder while you climb.
If using solvents to clean oil or alkyd paints:
Do not smoke;
Do not use the paints indoors or near sources of heat or flame; and
Dispose of rags and solvents properly. These wastes can usually be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste day that many towns sponsor, unless these are from industrial sources and then check with your Environmental Department.