Dust Detectives
These tiny particles can enter deep into the lungs because they are small enough to be inhaled.
What is respirable dust?
Cutting concrete, brick, block, or stone can release this hazardous crystalline material.
What is silica?
This unit is used to measure occupational noise levels.
What are decibels or dBA?
This term means fitting the job, tools, and work methods to the worker.
What is ergonomics?
A worker cuts concrete indoors without water or ventilation. Name the primary health hazard.
What is airborne/respirable silica dust?
Water applied at the point of cutting or grinding is an example of this type of dust control.
What is a wet method or engineering control?
This lung disease can result from inhaling respirable crystalline silica.
What is silicosis?
Ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears is known by this medical term.
What is tinnitus?
Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling are collectively called this type of work.
What is manual material handling?
A worker must shout to communicate with someone approximately three feet away. What hazard should be suspected?
What is potentially excessive noise?
Instead of dry sweeping accumulated silica-containing dust, workers should use these two preferred cleaning methods.
What are wet sweeping and HEPA-filtered vacuuming?
This OSHA silica action level is measured as an eight-hour time-weighted average.
What is 25 micrograms per cubic meter—25 µg/m³?
This instrument is worn by a worker to measure personal noise exposure throughout a shift.
What is a noise dosimeter?
Forceful exertion, repetition, awkward posture, and prolonged duration are examples of these.
What are ergonomic risk factors?
A worker repeatedly lifts heavy bags from floor level while twisting. Name two ergonomic risk factors present.
What are heavy/forceful lifting, repetition, twisting, or an awkward posture?
This type of ventilation captures airborne contaminants close to where they are generated.
What is local exhaust ventilation?
This OSHA construction resource lists specified equipment, tasks, engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory-protection requirements.
What is OSHA Table 1?
Enclosing noisy equipment, installing barriers, and maintaining machinery are examples of this preferred category of controls.
What are engineering controls?
A cart, hoist, forklift, lift table, or material-handling device provides this preferred type of assistance.
What is mechanical assistance?
Workers use a dry saw on masonry while wearing respirators, but no water or dust collection. What higher-level controls should be
What are wet cutting and local exhaust/dust collection?
This written document identifies tasks involving silica exposure and describes engineering controls, work practices, respiratory protection, housekeeping, and access restrictions.
What is a written exposure control plan?
This is OSHA’s permissible exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica, averaged over an eight-hour workday.
What is 50 µg/m³?
Under OSHA’s construction noise standard, this eight-hour exposure level triggers the need for a continuing, effective hearing-conservation program when exceeded.
What is more than 90 dBA as an eight-hour TWA?
This redesign strategy reduces strain by storing frequently handled materials between approximately knee and shoulder height.
What is improving the material-storage or work-zone height?
A worker lifts material near a loud demolition operation that also generates silica dust. Identify all three health-hazard categories involved.
What are respirable dust, excessive noise, and ergonomic strain/material handling?