Request for assistance in preventing silicosis and deaths in construction workers.

DHHS publication ; no. (NIOSH) 96-112In an effort to prevent silicosis and deaths in construction workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica (14808607) six cases of such occurrences among construction workers were described as were examples of poor and good dust control in construction operations. It was requested that this information be disseminated by trade journal editors, safety and health officials, labor unions, owners, and employers to all at risk workers. The cases of silicosis described occurred in a sandblaster, tile installer, brick mason, rock driller, tunnel worker, and a building renovation mason. Methods to reduce exposure of construction workers to respirable crystalline silica including dust control, personal hygiene, protective clothing, air monitoring, respiratory protection, medical monitoring, warning signs, and worker training were described.1996Prevention and ControlDHHS publication813