Page 54 - OHS, May 2022

PPE: RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
Reusable Respirators: Sustainable Protection from Silica Dust
A look at the good, the better and the best respiratory protection.
IBY CLAUDIO DENTE
t’s common knowledge that there are many workplace hazards in industries like construction, mining and oil and gas engineering, but did you know that one of the most common and deadly risks is the exposure to silica dust?
Crystalline silica is a mineral that is found in natural materials like clay, sand, gravel, rock and stone. So, the most common materials used in building and landscaping all contain silica putting those who work with these materials at risk. Silica dust is released from these materials during high-energy operations like sawing, cutting, drilling, chipping, sanding and grinding. These fine particles of crystalline silica release into the air and become a hazardous respirable dust.
The Risks
Exposure to fine particles of silica have been shown to cause silicosis, a serious and sometimes fatal lung disease, lung cancer, other respiratory diseases and kidney disease. Review studies in 2020 even showed damage to genetic material in crystalline silica works with adverse health effects because of DNA instability.1 In 2021, the dangers of silica dust are clear, and proper respiratory protection for workers is a non-negotiable thanks to OSHA.
In 2016, OSHA issued two new standards to protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica—one for construction and the other for general industry and maritime. According to OSHA, the construction industry has approximately 2,000,000 workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica in over 600,000 workplaces in the United States.
In the OSHA guidance document, OSHA uses a benchmark 8-hour time weighted average exposure of 0.05mg/m3 of respirable silica dust as a point of reference in describing control measures utilized by the construction trades. (Short term exposure can be higher.) If your exposure is over 0.05 mg/m3 for an 8-hour TWA, you must take appropriate measure to protect the worker and surroundings.
OSHA notes that some organizations like NIOSH and ACHIG recommend even lower levels (0.025 as an 8-hour time weighted average). According to OSHA, there are two ways to determine silica exposure levels, through air monitoring or by identifying certain activities on Table 1 of the Standard.
Luckily, OSHA has already done some of the legwork for employers and identified procedures you need to put into place to ensure any silica dust levels remain with the permissible exposure limit (PEL). You can view Table 1 on their website for the standard.2
How Can You Protect Against Silica Dust?
Implementing a respiratory program according to OSHA’s PEL is a non-negotiable to properly protect employees from Silica dust exposure.3 Shifting to reusable elastomeric respirators in 2022 can not only provide optimal protection against silica dust but is also one of the smartest things you can do for the environment and for your bottom line. Disposable respirators generate an enormous
50 Occupational Health & Safety | MAY 2022
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amount of waste which ends up in landfills or worse. Elastomeric respirators are a sustainable solution and are designed to be cleaned, decontaminated and reused. Because of this feature, one elastomeric can do the work of hundreds, if not thousands, of disposable N95 masks.
Elastomeric half mask respirators (EHMR) provide an enhanced seal to the wearers face with many models providing the ability to adjust their suspensions.4 This is in stark contrast to disposable respirators which oftentimes only have two elastic bands that go around the head. These elastic bands do not allow for adjustment to mitigate excessive pressure on your face/skin. If you are a smaller or bigger person, you may not be able to achieve a proper fit due to the sizing limitations and lack of suspension adjustment.
An EHMR program can have big cost savings particularly over the long-term. A recent study found that a network reduced the number of N95s needed by 95 percent by implementing an elastomeric mask program, costing the network 10 times less per month than purchasing disposable N95s.5
Good Respiratory Protection Solutions
Disposable respirators. From 0.05 mg/m3 to .5 mg/m3 TWA 8 hours requires a NIOSH approved half-facepiece or disposable respirator equipped with an N, R, or P95 filter or higher with an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) 10.6
The pros of disposable respirators are plentiful as they are lightweight and universal in their fit. They are thought to be rather comfortable with the model exhausting hot, moist air reducing the amount of heat buildup for the user. These types of respirators often have crush resistant shell design and elastic straps sonically welded to the mask which can increase the product life as well.
While there are many pros, we should talk about the cons as well. Disposable respirators are often difficult to fit test when entering hazardous applications and can cause irritation to the wearer by fogging up safety or prescription eyewear, rubbing the bridge of the nose or not fitting around hairstyles such as ponytails or buns. In the long run, these respirators tend to be expensive as you constantly replace them—which can lead to a large environmental impact by creating more waste.
Better Respiratory Protection Solutions
Reusable N95 Half Mask Respirators.7 From 0.05 mg/m3 to .5 mg/m3 TWA 8 hours requires a NIOSH approved half-facepiece or disposable respirator equipped with an N, R, or P95 filter or higher with an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) 10.
The pros of reusable N95 Half Mask Respirators include the fact that the N95 filters protect against non-oil-based particulate aerosols and its often the recommended choice from the CDC and OSHA. The N95 can replace disposable respirators and come in a variety of materials—from silicone to thermoplastic or elastometric rubber.
The N95 can create an airtight seal and is often available in