Overview & Objectives
This course is designed to teach students about the basics of silica dust and respirable crystalline silica dust often encountered during construction activities. The Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction for the Exposed Worker course teaches participants the basic health hazards associated with exposure, as well as common construction tasks that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline, and control measures employers can implement to protect workers from specific construction tasks at which employees are exposed. Control strategies will be identified and include engineering controls, work practices, and respirators.
NOTICE: This course is more comprehensive than the introductory level course and is largely developed directly from OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica in construction standard.
Students who participate in the Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction for the Exposed Worker course will gain a thorough and up-to-date understanding of the prevalence and use of silica in construction environments. Topics within the course include:
- Backgrounds and definitions of silica and respirable crystalline silica
- Common construction activities with the greatest potential for exposure
- Common hazards, evaluation methods, and control techniques of silica and respirable crystalline silica
- Importance of and requirements for signs and labels, housekeeping, a documented written exposure control plan, medical surveillance, training, and information
- Silica and respirable crystalline in construction summary
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able familiar with OSHA’s new requirements surrounding the new respirable crystalline silica regulation. Furthermore, students will be able to do the following:
- Identify examples of potential exposure to silica and respirable crystalline silica, as well as the associated dangers
- Recognize OSHA’s strict requirements and measures governing respirable crystalline silica
- Learn to utilize safe work practices, as well as safer tools and techniques to control potentially harmful exposure to silica and respirable crystalline silica dust.
