Understanding diseases and conditions that may occur within a working operation can assist you in minimising risk and maximising health and safety standards. Pneumoconiosis, also known as a disease of the lungs caused by dust exposure, Silicosis has emerged as a significant hazard in a range of different modern workplace environments. Some legalities and duties relate to providing adequate protection from this condition, alongside an ongoing duty of care that accompanies modern enterprise.
What is Crystalline Silica?
Crystalline silica is found in a series of raw materials, including sand, stone, concrete and motor. This substance is utilised in the production of a variety of objects, encompassing artificial stones used in home fixtures such as bathroom surfaces and cooktops, as well as bricks and tiles. When an individual processes materials that contain Crystalline silica using power tools or other machinery, dust particles are produced. These particles can be fine enough to lodge in the lungs, resulting in illness or serious disease, including silicosis. The particles created during the production process are caused by breathing in crystalline silicon dioxide, and are therefore an airborne dust fraction that deeply impacts the body, reaching into the pulmonary alveolar area of the lung. These dust particles are what is known as Respirable Crystalline Silica, or RCS for brevity.
Silica is a naturally occurring and widely abundant material that is sourced in a range of major rocks and soils, and different materials can contain differing amounts of crystalline silica.
How Does Silica Cause Disease?
RCS is produced in the generated workplace mechanical processes, covering a range of disciplines including the crushing, cutting, drilling, sawing, polishing, quarrying, grinding and tunnelling of both natural stone and man-made phenomena that contain crystalline silica. Once the particles are generated, they can be easily inhaled, leading to deep penetration where they may then evolve to cause significant and irreversible damage to the lungs. There are many ways in which silica can result in disease, with exposure and inhalation posing a risk of several conditions. They include:
Acute Silicosis: This may develop within a few weeks or years following short-term exposure to high levels of dust. This condition causes severe and ongoing inflammation in the lungs and the secretion of bodily proteins into the internal organs.
Accelerated Silicosis: This may emerge after exposures spanning three to ten years, causing inflammation, protein secretion and fibrotic nodules, or scarring of the lung. Accelerated conditions commonly occur following mid-term exposure periods.
Chronic Silicosis: This can develop due to long-term exposure to lower, less concentrated levels of silica dust, leading to fibrotic nodules, shortness of breath and progressive massive fibrosis.
Scleroderma: This is a disease of the connective tissue within the body, which then results in layered scar tissue. This can appear in the skin, other major organs and joints.
Other known conditions and diseases include emphysema, lung cancer, kidney damage and chronic bronchitis.
What Workers Are at Risk?
As silica is one of the most naturally abundant materials in the Earth’s crust, and is so often used in a variety of products that are essential in many industries and working operations, crystalline silica is highly dangerous. It poses higher levels of risk when dust is generated, which then becomes airborne and is inhaled by workers. Many work activities may involve the risk of generation and inhalation, including operations that involve:
- The use of power tools to cut, grind, polish or process natural and manufactured stone tops.
- Excavation, drilling plants, and earthmoving.
- The processing of clay and stone.
- Paving and surfacing tasks.
- Mining, mineral ore treating, and quarrying.
- Mechanical screening.
- Tunnelling and road construction.
- Construction and demolition.
- Stone, concrete or brick cutting that employs dry methods.
- Abrasive blasting.
- Angle grinding and the chiselling of concrete or masonry.
- Pottery production.
- Cleaning activities, including sweeping.
Please note, many other routine workplace operations can result in disease if exposure and inhalation occur.
Symptoms of Silicosis
There are markers to signify the development of silicosis; at first, they may be subtle; however, over time, they will gradually develop as the lungs scar. These symptoms can include:
Cough, phlegm production, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and ongoing chest infections. These symptoms are known to contribute to other health risks encompassing autoimmune connective tissue diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer and tuberculosis.
Monitoring and Diagnosis
Logic Health provides a dedicated care practice to monitor, diagnose and assist in the mitigation of risk. A professional will perform a medical and occupational history assessment to determine whether exposure may have occurred in the past, both in the worker’s current environment and previous settings. This process will also include a physical examination, with a lung function test and chest x-ray, and any further specialist testing that may be required upon investigation.
Can Silicosis Be Treated?
There are no known, dedicated treatment processes for silicosis. Once a diagnosis has been reached, the priority is to remove the worker from hazardous dust exposure and additional respiratory irritants or inflammatory risks. This is essential to prevent the worsening of both symptoms and the disease. Workers are encouraged to practice healthful lifestyle changes, including ceasing smoking, regular flu and pneumonia vaccination and mindful living. Support can be provided in the form of treatments such as puffers, oxygen, and medication. Those with severe disease progression may require a lung transplant in order to return to health.
Silicosis Prevention
Preventive care in the modern workplace is vital to minimise risk and disease. This involves recognising which materials contain silica and removing them where possible, using low-dust producing working methods, adequate extraction ventilation and the regular removal of dust through cleaning. Businesses may wish to implement a dust monitoring protocol, and should ensure that all protective wear is used when working with Respirable Crystalline Silica products and materials.
For assistance, discuss your options with the team at Logic Health.
