Silica Exposure - Glass Manufacturing

Glass is made by melting crushed quartz at high temperatures. Workers in glass manufacturing plants are exposed to silica dust during the handling and mixing of the materials, and while transporting the raw materials to the batch house and the melting area. Exposure to silica dust in the batch house is limited mainly to the cleaning and maintenance of the silos and delivering systems. Exposure in the melting area occurs with the storage and delivery of batch materials being fed into the furnace prior to melting. Exposure in this area may also occur with activities performed during the preparation and maintenance of the furnace. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as powered air purifying respirators, is advised.

To learn more about Silica Safety visit our General & Maritime Silica Safety Online Training web page.