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o Abrasive blasting using silica sand as a blasting medium.
o Abrasive blasting of concrete regardless of the type of medium.
o Sawing, hammering, drilling, grinding, sanding or chipping of concrete, rock or masonry products.
o Heavy equipment and utility vehicles used to fracture or abrade silica containing materials, i.e. rock ripping,
grading, demolition, fracturing
o Dry sweeping or compressed air blowing of concrete, masonry, rock, or sand dust.
• Workers exposed to silica dust will receive training on silica hazards and protection methods.
• Examples of acceptable engineering controls are:
o Substitute blasting medium for less hazardous material with 0% silica.
o Dust collection systems shall be equipped with a commercially available shroud and have a filter with 99% or
greater efficiency and a filter-cleaning mechanism.
o Wet saw systems equipped with integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade or
cutting surface.
o Wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming shall be used to clean up materials and debris where crystalline silica may
be present.
• 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 as indicated in 29 CFR 1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica.
• Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco products in areas where crystalline silica dust is present. Always wash hands and face
before eating, drinking, or using tobacco products.
INSTALLING AND SANDING SHETROCK
This procedure outlines the safety requirements for installing and sanding sheet rock in all buildings under construction.
• While wearing stilts, workers are prohibited from walking up and down stairs or working near leading edges without proper
physical protection.
• Workers wearing stilts who are within ten (10) feet of standard guardrails must extend the top rail an additional two (2)
feet to ensure proper protection.
• Workers hand sanding sheetrock joints can, on a voluntary basis, wear a disposable respirator (dust mask) rated N95.
Workers must be trained and sign Appendix D to section 29 CFR 1910.134 “Voluntary Use of a Disposable Respirator”.
• Workers engaged in mechanically sanding (powered orbital sander) sheetrock joint compound shall not be exposed to
airborne concentrations of respirable dust above the OSHA permissible exposure level (PEL). Contractor is responsible for
determining the exposure level of respirable dust in and around their employees breathing zone
.
The use of a vacuum
attached to powered orbital sanders is the preferred means to reduce respirable dust below the OSHA PEL.
• Workers who would be exposed to respirable dust that is greater than 5mg/m3 in and around workers breathing zone
must submit a comprehensive respiratory protection program that complies with 29 CFR 1910.134 if they require their
employees to wear respiratory protection when sanding sheetrock joint compound.
LOCK OUT POLICY
This procedure establishes the minimum requirements for the lockout of energy isolation devices whenever maintenance or
servicing is done on machines or electrical equipment. It shall be used to ensure that the machine or electrical equipment is
stopped, isolated from all potentially hazardous energy sources, and locked out before anyone performs any servicing or
maintenance where the unexpected energization or start-up of the machine or electrical equipment or release of stored energy
could cause injury.
• Lockout is the preferred method of isolating machines or electrical equipment from energy sources. To assist employers in
developing a procedure which meets the requirements of the standard, the following simple procedure is provided for use
in lockout programs. This procedure may be used when there are limited numbers or types of machines or electrical
equipment or there is a single power source. For more complex systems, a more comprehensive procedure will need to be
developed, documented, and utilized.
• All employees and contractor employees are required to comply with the restrictions and limitations imposed on them
during the use of lockout. The authorized employees are required to perform the lockout in accordance with this
procedure. All employees and contractor employees, upon observing a machine or piece of electrical equipment which is
locked out to perform servicing or maintenance, shall not attempt to start, energize, or use that machine or electrical
equipment.
• Refer to Samet’s TSW for LOTO, Verify Permit