HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 692 HS – Silica Control
1 PR.692.HS
PROCEDURE PR.692.HS
TITLE: SILICA CONTROL
Date issued: 04 June 2019
Last revised:
Authorization: 04 June 2019
1.0 OBJECTIVE
To provide a procedure to ensure that OCDSB staff, students, and visitors are not exposed to
harmful concentrations of airborne silica.
2.0 DEFINITIONS
2.1 Designated Substance refers to substances known to be particularly hazardous to the
health of individuals.
2.2 Project Manager refers to any person who arranges and coordinates work done by one
or more contractors.
2.3 Silica refers to crystalline silica in its respirable form, which is a designated substance
under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
2.4 Supervisor means any person who is responsible for the work of another employee,
including, but not limited to, those holding the positions of supervisory officer, principal,
vice-principal, manager and supervisor.
2.5 Worker means any of the following:
a) a person who performs work or supplies services for monetary compensation;
b) a secondary school student who performs work or supplies services for no
monetary compensation under a work experience program authorized by the
school board that operates the school in which the student is enrolled;
c) a person who performs work or supplies services for no monetary compensation
under a program approved by a college or applied arts and technology, university
or other post-secondary institution; or
d) such other persons as may be prescribed who perform work or supply services to
the OCDSB for no monetary compensation.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 Supervisors are responsible for :
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a) ensuring that any worker using or generating silica understands the hazards of
silica exposure and the controls necessary to protect themselves.
3.2 Project Managers are responsible for:
a) ensuring that contractors’ work is performed in accordance with this procedure
and Ontario Regulation 490/09.
3.3 Occupational Health and Safety Division is responsible for:
a) maintaining this procedure; and
b) ensuring this procedure is reviewed by the Joint Occupational Health and Safety
Committee at least every three years.
3.4 Workers are responsible for:
a) Performing their work in a safe manner, in accordance with the training they
receive, this procedure and the attached appendices.
4.0 PROCEDURES
4.1 Alternatives to silica-containing materials must be used where practicable to reduce the
potential for exposure to silica. Appendix A lists materials commonly found at the
OCDSB which are likely to contain silica. Any materials or products that may contain
silica, such as clay or sand, must be purchased through the district’s approved
procurement processes to ensure it meets appropriate safety standards.
4.2 In cases where silica-containing materials are used, the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) will be
consulted for detailed information about storing, using and handling products containing
silica.
4.3 Silica-containing material or products in its hardened state must not be crushed, ground,
filed, sanded, cut or otherwise shaped b y any means without procedures for reducing
exposure to the released dust.
4.4 Silica-containing blasting media will not be used at the OCDSB.
4.5 Silica-containing waste, including accidental spills, must be handled carefully to
minimize the production of airborne particles.
4.6 Clean-up shall be performed with vacuums fitted with HEPA filters and/or by wetting the
material to prevent the generation of respirable dust particles.
4.7 Compressed air will not be used indoors for cleaning silica-containing material under
any circumstance.
4.8 Staff involved in the clean-up of silica spills will wear personal protective equipment as
required.
4.9 All work with silica containing clay, must be done in accordance with the safe work
instructions in Appendix B.
Control Program/Classification of Work
4.10 Where work is being undertaken that could result in exposure to silica, the work shall
proceed in accordance with the safe work instructions set out in the appendices that are
applicable based on the classifications of work set out in paragraphs 4.11 and 4.12.
4.11 Type 1 Silica Operations, which will follow the safe work instructions set out in Appendix
C, include:
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a) drilling of holes in concrete or rock;
b) any other operation at a project that requires the handling of silica-containing
material in a way that may result in a worker being exposed to airborne silica;
and
c) working within 25 meters of an area where compressed air is being used
outdoors to remove silica-containing dust.
4.12 Type 2 Silica Operations which will follow the safe work instructions set out in
Appendix D, include:
a) removal of silica-containing refractory materials with a jackhammer;
b) drilling of holes in concrete or rock that is part of a tunneling or road construction;
c) the use of a power tool to cut, or grind, concrete, masonry, terrazzo or refractory
materials;
d) the use of a power tool to polish concrete, masonry, terrazzo or refractory
materials (but not buffing/polishing the sealers or finishes applied to these
materials);
e) the use of a power tool to remove silica-containing materials;
f) tunneling (operation of the tunnel boring machine, tunnel drilling, tunnel mesh
installation);
g) tuckpoint and surface grinding;
h) dry mortar removal with an electric or pneumatic cutting device;
i) dry method dust cleanup from abrasive blasting operations;
j) the use of compress air outdoors for removing silica dust; and
k) entry into area where abrasive blasting is being carried out for more than 15
minutes.
4.13 OCDSB workers will not perform Type 3 Silica Operations. These include:
a) abrasive blasting with an abrasive that contains ≥ 1% silica; and
b) abrasive blasting of a material that contains ≥ 1% silica.
Dust Control
4.14 The generation of airborne silica-containing dust should be controlled with a mechanical
ventilation system, wetting, or the use of a dust collection system.
4.15 If silica-containing airborne dust is generated, mechanical ventilation with an air flow
sufficient to remove airborne contaminants from workers' breathing zone should be
provided.
4.16 The air flow of the mechanical ventilation system should be at least 50 cubic feet per
minute per square foot of face area (0.25 m3/s per square meter of face area).
4.17 If it is determined that none of the above methods are practicable, workers may be
provided with respirators to protect them from exposure. The following should be
considered before assigning respirators:
a) risk to workers using wetting or a dust collection system;
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b) likelihood of damage to equipment if wetting or a dust collection system is used;
and
c) frequency and duration of the operation.
4.18 Respirator requirements and other measures and procedures for work with silica are
outlined in Appendices B, C, and D.
Training
4.19 Principals and building managers will receive training in:
a) hazards of exposure to designated substances, including silica;
b) types of materials that may contain designated substances, including silica, at
OCDSB sites;
c) the requirements of this procedure; and
d) steps for reporting concerns.
4.20 Project managers will receive training in:
a) hazards of exposure to designated substances, including silica;
b) types of materials that may contain designated substances, including silica, at
OCDSB sites;
c) the requirements of Ontario Regulation 490/09, Designated Substances; and
d) procedures for controlling exposure to designated substances, including silica.
4.21 Supervisors of workers who may use products containing silica or doing work that
may create airborne silica will receive training in:
a) hazards of silica exposure;
b) types of materials that may contain silica at OCDSB sites;
c) the requirements of this procedure;
d) procedures for controlling exposure to silica;
e) personal protective equipment (including respirators) requirements; and
f) steps for reporting concerns.
4.22 Workers using products containing silica or doing work that may create airborne silica
will receive training in:
a) hazards of silica exposure;
b) types of materials that may contain silica at OCDSB sites;
c) the requirements of this procedure;
d) procedures for controlling exposure to silica;
e) personal protective equipment (including respirators) requirements;
f) job-specific safe work instructions; and
g) steps for reporting concerns.
4.23 Training records indicating the nature of the training and the date shall be maintained
through the district’s training management system.
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5.0 APPENDICES
(Please right-click on the links below to open appendices in new tabs)
Appendix A – Silica-containing Materials Commonly Found at the OCDSB
Appendix B – Safe Work Instructions – Working With Clay
Appendix C – Safe Work Instructions – Type 1 Silica Operations
Appendix D – Safe Work Instructions – Type 2 Silica Operations
6.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act R.S.O. 1990 (as amended)
Ontario Regulation 490/09 – Designated Substances
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services – Workbook for Designated Substance Assessment
Board Policy P.058.HS - Occupational Health and Safety
Board Procedure PR.689.HS Selection, Use and Care of Respirators