What Types of Jobs Are Most At Risk for Silicosis? 2024

Silicosis is a devastating — and preventable — occupational disease that is caused by prolonged exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust. Despite advancements in workplace safety, workers in certain industries take their lives in their hands every day as they risk exposure. So, what types of jobs are most at risk for silicosis?

Before we can jump right into the jobs most susceptible to silicosis, first we should probably talk about what silicosis is.

What Is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a lung disease that occurs when fine silica particles are inhaled. Over time, these particles settle in the lungs, causing inflammation, scarring, and reduced lung function. The disease can range from mild to severe, and once it takes hold, it is irreversible.

What Causes Silica Exposure?

Crystalline silica — a fine dust — is found in natural materials like quartz, sand, and stone. In fabricated material, like engineered stone, crystalline silica is found in much higher quantities. This means that activities like cutting, grinding, or drilling these materials release fine silica particles into the air — ripe for breathing into their lungs. This is why workers who are exposed to this dust — without adequate protection — are at a very high risk of developing silicosis.

Jobs Most at Risk for Silicosis

• Construction workers. Construction workers encounter silica dust when handling concrete, brick, or stone. Tasks like cutting, sanding, or demolishing these materials produce significant amounts of respirable silica dust. Workers involved in highway construction, building renovations, or demolition are particularly vulnerable.
• Countertop fabricators and installers. The rise of engineered stone in kitchens and bathrooms has brought increased risks to countertop fabricators and installers. These workers are exposed to silica dust when cutting, polishing, and shaping engineered stone, which can contain 90% more crystalline silica than natural materials.
• Miners and quarry workers. Silica exposure is common in mining and quarrying, where workers crush and handle silica-rich rock. Drilling into rock and processing materials creates airborne silica dust that can easily be inhaled.
• Manufacturing workers. Industries producing glass, ceramics, or engineered stone frequently expose workers to silica dust during the manufacturing process. Tasks like mixing raw materials, shaping products, and finishing surfaces often generate high levels of respirable dust.
• Sandblasters. Sandblasting involves using silica sand to clean or etch surfaces. This job creates an intense cloud of silica dust, making workers extremely vulnerable — especially if they lack proper protective equipment or ventilation.
• Foundry workers. Foundries use silica-containing materials to create molds that are used to cast metals. Pouring molten metal into these molds can release fine silica particles, which in turn places workers at risk.
• Oil and gas workers. In hydraulic fracturing — or fracking — workers handle large amounts of silica sand. This sand is used to prop open fissures in rock formations, which allows them to work more efficiently. This process can generate significant amounts of silica dust during the transportation, mixing, and pumping processes.

Protecting Yourself From Silicosis

It may sound bleak, but there are steps that you can take to protect yourself. It can sometimes be easier to assume that your employer is strictly adhering to all standards set by OSHA, but in order to fully protect yourself, you need to know what those standards are. This allows you to identify opportunities in the workplace and take action to protect yourself.

• Understand the risks. Awareness is the first step in protecting yourself. Workers should know which tasks and materials produce silica dust and how exposure occurs.
• Use engineering controls. Employers should implement measures such as water suppression systems because wet cutting or grinding minimizes dust, ventilation because local exhaust systems capture dust at its source, and enclosures to isolate high-dust areas, which can reduce worker exposure.
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE). Respirators designed to filter silica particles are critical for worker safety. Ensure that your respirator fits properly and that it is rated for silica protection — N95 or P100 models are often recommended.
• Follow safe work practices. Avoid dry cutting or grinding whenever possible. Clean all work areas with HEPA-filtered vacuums instead of dry sweeping and change into clean clothes before leaving work to prevent inadvertently bringing silica dust home.
• Get regular health screenings. Workers exposed to silica dust should undergo periodic medical exams to monitor lung health. Early detection of silicosis can slow its progression and improve outcomes.

FAQs

Q: Can Silicosis Develop From Short-Term Exposure?

A: While silicosis typically develops from prolonged exposure, acute silicosis can occur after intense exposure to high levels of silica dust over a very short period of time. This rapid form of the disease progresses quickly and can cause severe lung damage within months. If you suspect that you have been exposed to crystalline silica dust, it is imperative that you immediately see a pulmonologist.

Q: Is Silica Dust Visible to the Naked Eye?

A: No. Respirable silica dust particles are microscopic and cannot be seen without specialized equipment. The invisible nature of silica dust makes it particularly dangerous, as workers may not even realize that they are being exposed. This is why education and safety measures are so important. If you work in any of the above-mentioned industries, you must take steps to protect yourself from harm.

Q: Can Silicosis Affect Organs Other Than the Lungs?

A: Although silicosis primarily impacts the lungs, prolonged inflammation caused by silica dust exposure can contribute to other health issues. These can include autoimmune disorders, kidney disease, and cardiovascular complications. Early detection of silicosis can help mitigate the development of these other diseases, so ensure that you are getting regular health check-ups.

Q: How Can Family Members of Exposed Workers Stay Safe?

A: Secondary exposure occurs when silica dust clings to a worker’s clothing or hair. To avoid exposing their families, workers should decontaminate — shower, and change — before coming home. If showering is not possible, workers should at least change their clothes, then disrobe immediately upon entering the home and shower immediately. Separately washing work clothes is also advised.

When to Seek Legal Assistance

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with silicosis, you may need to consider pursuing options that can hold the responsible parties accountable. The office of Wallace & Graham, P.A., has decades of experience in toxic exposure litigation and has worked to recover millions of dollars for their clients over the years.

You don’t have to face this battle alone. We can help you to understand your rights and develop a strategy to address all of your concerns.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation.