Definition
Silicosis is a disease which develops when craft works in the silica environment for long periods.
It Is a disabling, nonreversible, and fatal lung disease caused by overexposure due to respirable crystalline silica.
in addition to the above, it can also cause, tuberculosis and bronchitis.
There is no proper cure for this disease but it is preventable since its main source is silica which is in abundance in the earth crust. Its major component is sand.
Effect on the Lungs:
Silica dust reduces the lung’s ability to extract due to overexposure because it contains microscopic particles of crystalline silica that cause scar tissue in the lungs.
What are three types of Silicosis
There are three types of Silicosis
Chronic Silicosis
It develops when if workforce is exposed to silica dust for more than 10 years.
Accelerated Silicosis
These results are due to the high exposures to silica dust from 5 to 10 years.
Acute Silicosis
It occurs where exposures are at the highest level and because of this it develops within a few weeks, sometimes within a span of 5 years.
Who is at Risk from Silicosis?
- All those who work in a dusty environment are at major risk of catching silicosis.
- It spreads from the person who is suffering from the disease and when a normal person comes in contact with them.
What are the Main Causes of Silicosis?
- Ceramic clay and pottery
- Foundry work i.e. grinding, moulding, shakeout, core room).
- Construction industry i.e. Sandblasting, rock drilling, masonry work, jackhammering, tunneling.
- Glass manufacturing.
- Abrasive blasting, chipping, grinding.
What are the Symptoms of Silicosis?
- Loss of appetite and fatigue
- Since its main symptoms are severe cough and chest pain
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
Diagnosis of Silicosis
- The craft needs to undergo a medical examination which includes complete work history, chest X-ray, and lung function test in order to avoid it.
- NIOSH recommends medical examinations before a new job or changing jobs or when the craft enters a new trade last but not least after 3 years of the job.
- Hence, the Craft needs to visit a medical practitioner if they are overexposed to silica dust.
How we can Prevent People from Silicosis
1.Use Less Hazardous Material:
The workforce needs to use less hazardous material than silica during abrasive blasting and cleaning this one of the ways of precaution from Silicosis.
2.Remove the Dust:
The craft needs to remove the dust of the area by vacuuming or by a water hose and they need to practice wet sweeping rather than dry sweeping.
3.Apply Engineering Control Method:
Install the equipment which collects the dust i.e. in the form of exhaust vents, dust collection system, and water sprays to suppress the silica dust.
4. Wear An Approved Respirator:
Use an approved respirator or a positive pressure abrasive respirator since it avoids severe exposure.
5.A Neat and Clean Environment
Make the working area and eating area neat and clean to avoid dust exposure and in addition install proper hand wash in the area.
6.Provide Changing Rooms for the Crafts As per Standard:
The employer needs to provide changing rooms and bathing rooms since it avoids exposure to silica dust.
7.Do Not Eat and Drink in a Dusty Environment:
Prohibit eating and drinking in working areas in order to avoid exposure to silica dust.
8.Install Poster and Flyers:
Install posters in the form of banners and flyers in the working areas since it generates awareness among the workforce and uses a safety plan approved by the client.
9.Do Not Breach Rules of Safety:
The employer needs to ensure that there is no breach in the safety law hence at any cost you need to avoid it in the working areas.
10.Periodic Medical Surveillance:
The employer must arrange a clinic for the workforce so that it checks the exposure level to silica dust.
11.Train the Workforce:
The training must be made mandatory for the workforce prior to working in such environments.
12.Monitor the Air Quality:
Air monitoring must be done in the working areas in order to check the quality of the air.
13.Use Proper PPE:
Proper PPE must be worn without excuse during work.
FAQ
Ans: -The main causes of Silicosis are Silica dust and the environment where the exposure is above the normal level.
Ans: –1. First of all, avoid working in silica environment 2. Apply hierarchy of control 3. Wear Proper PPE
Ans: -Silicosis is diagnosed by the medical examination of lungs as the disease is related to lungs.
Ans: –1. Acute Silicosis 2. Chronic and 3. Accelerated
Final Words
We have seen how hazardous silica dust is to the workforce hence the first precaution is to avoid working in a silica environment.
So, the above statement is practically not feasible for the workers.
Hence train the workforce in such a manner so that they will save themselves from the dangers of silica.
That is why they set a standard for their peers and folks so that they will save themselves from the dangers of silica.
So, you need to comply with all the standard rules of safety pertaining to the subject and motivate yourself in such a way not to breach the law at any cost.
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Author-
M H KARIM
Last updated: -7 Feb 2022