Silica Exposure

Over the past decade, increased use of technologies related to the mining process of hydraulic fracturing (also called "fracking") have posed new dangers to oil and gas extraction workers. Hydraulic fracturing uses high-powered equipment to blast large quantities of water and sand into shale and other underground rock formations. The intense pressure generated by the water and sand fractures the rock formations. This process releases oil and gas, which is then collected.

During the hydraulic fracturing process, large quantities of airborne silica particles are released into the surrounding environment. Workers in this environment are exposed to silica dust when they inhale the air in these work areas. In a recent study, oil and gas industry members collaborated with NIOSH to evaluate the levels of silica exposure to workers at 11 hydraulic fracturing sites. They found that the majority of these workers were consistently exposed to levels of silica which were significantly higher than those permitted by OSHA and NIOSH regulations.

To learn more about Oil & Gas Extraction visit our Oil & Gas Extraction Safety Online Training web page.