Performing Drywall Finishing

Construction workers who sand drywall joint compound can be exposed to high concentrations of respirable silica. Drywall joint compounds can be made from many ingredients (such as talc, calcite, mica, gypsum, and silica) that are associated with serious health problems, including silicosis and lung cancer.

Take the following steps to help reduce the risk of exposure to respirable silica:

• Avoid generating dust.
• Use respiratory protection when dry sanding.
• Use wet sanding whenever possible.
• Cut dust exposures by using proper ventilation.
• Use a vacuum sanding system.
• Use pole-sanding instead of hand-sanding, especially when working overhead. The pole increases the space between the worker and the sanding surface, which in turn reduces the amount of dust close to the worker's nose and mouth.

To learn more about Construction Silica visit our Construction Silica Safety Online Training web page.