Silicosis

[Ian Pearson]

Question aimed at those who cold work glass by drilling/cutting/grinding in workshops. What's the latest regs on preventive measures for avoidance of Silicosis? Do you wear respirators, filtered masks, ventialtion etc..

Aware of subject through
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec05/ch057/ch057i.html
http://www.thelegalline.co.uk/industrial_disease_claims/silicosis-injury-compensation-claims.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/silicosis1.shtml

Be interested to get comments within UK and elsewhere such as Germany/USA
and Australia/New Zealand.

Thanks in advance

Ian

[julieHB]

Ugh, doesn't sound nice at all!! I have recently bought a proper respirator mask as I want to be safely able to work with enamels etc. I always saw/grind/drill glass with loads of water involved, though, and thought that took care of the glass dust...

[llewennog]

Thanks Ian, was just doing some research on side/down draught ventillation systems as a secondary ventillation system in place of wearing a mask, catching the debris into a carbon filter placed under my bench.
Anyone got any ideas as to the average micron particulate size that needs to be prevented from reentering the atmosphere if it falls through my filter?

[garishglobes]

The Wikipedia article does suggest dust is the cause and using water to damp down the dust would be sensible. It was interesting to see the number of industries/activities that could cause silicosis, right down to dodgy smoking habits and sandblasting denim.
Working on a very small level, I just try and avoid enamels and am not that keen on the finer frits either.
A quick Google search got this:
http://www.osha.gov/dte/library/silicosis/si_gi.html
which came from here:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/silicacrystalline/solutions.html
but both are from the US.
From the UK HSE is this:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis36.pdf

[Hotglass28]

I have stopped using my lap disc and taurus for now because its too cold to work outside. (I always use these tools outside)

With these tools, even if you use wet (plenty of water) you still have the mist which will be thrown up toward you. Taurus is not that bad, but the grinders are horrible for it!

I have always used really high quality masks used for vapour and used eye protection.

I don't think many people realise the health problems so thank you for that post.

Denise

[Flyingcheesetoastie]

Thanks for this post Ian, I know this was one of the many health and safety elements that was drilled into us at ECA so it always concerns me when I hear and see others with no regard to their own and others safety.  Especially as many of these factors effect you over a prolonged period of time, so even forgetting the mask or extraction once in a while will build up and effect you.

I have a 1m x 1m industrial hood over the work bench I make molds and steam wax on, but I also switch it on when I flamework and turn the kiln on.  I'm still researching a benchtop system that will mean I can paint or sift enamels without a mask.