NIOSH describes respirable-dust exposures in industrial sand processing, identifies dry screening and loading as exposure opportunities, and reports controls including ventilation, enclosed or ventilated loading spouts, and worker separation from dust-producing operations.
Source: CDC/NIOSH: Engineering Controls — Silica Dust Exposure Control in Industrial Sand Processing Operations ↗Dust entry
Industrial sand-processing dust
Respirable dust generated during industrial sand drying, screening, conveying, loading, and related processing operations.
Airborne form
dust
The form describes what is suspended in air at the point of exposure. A material can produce more than one form, such as dust during handling and fume during heating.
Health effects
silicosisrespiratory diseasereduced lung functionrespirable-silica exposure
Evidence
Controls
- wet processing where feasible
- local exhaust ventilation
- ventilated loading spouts
- enclosure or worker separation
- housekeeping
- exposure monitoring
- appropriate respiratory protection