Use Proper PPE

Always use personal protective equipment that is designed for the task, as follows:

• Use positive pressure abrasive blasting respirators for sandblasting. For other tasks where respirators may be required, wear a respirator approved for protection against crystalline silica-containing dust.
• Do not alter the respirator in any way. Workers who use tight-fitting respirators cannot have beards or mustaches which could interfere with the respirator achieving a tight seal to the face.
• Do not use respirators as the primary means of preventing or minimizing exposures to airborne contaminants. Instead, use effective source controls such as substitution, automation, enclosed systems, local exhaust ventilation, wet methods, and good work practices. Such measures should be the primary means of protecting workers. However, when source controls cannot keep exposures below the PEL, controls should be supplemented with the use of respirators.
• Wear only a N95 NIOSH-certified respirator, if respirator protection is required. Do not alter the respirator. Wear only a Type CE abrasive-blast supplied-air respirator for abrasive blasting.

When respirators are used, the employer must establish a comprehensive respiratory protection program, as outlined in the NIOSH Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection [NIOSH 1987a] and as required in the OSHA respiratory protection standard [29 CFR 1910.134 and 1926.103]. Important elements of these standards are:

• Periodic environmental monitoring
• Regular training of personnel
• Selection of proper NIOSH-approved respirators
• Evaluation of the worker's ability to perform the work while wearing a respirator
• Respirator fit testing
• Maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and storage of respiratory personal protective equipment

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