In-depth survey report: control of silica exposure in construction scabbling concrete at Frank Messer and Sons Construction Company, Hebron, Kentucky.
Authors
Echt A; Sieber WK; Jones A; Jones E
Source
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, EPHB 247-15d, 2002 Apr; :1-10
Abstract
Scabbling concrete involves dressing the surface of the concrete to remove surface imperfections or surface coatings. Analysis of a novel control designed and constructed by the site superintendent for use with a small, gasoline-powered, walk-behind scabbIer showed that it was effective at reducing employee exposure to respirable dust and, should also be effective in reducing exposure to crystalline silica. The control consisted of a 15-inch spray bar made from 3/4-inch schedule 40 polyvinyl chloride pipe with 15 slots cut in it spaced 3/4 to I-inch apart. The spray bar was attached to a lifting handle on the front of the scabbIer with hose clamps, and oriented with the slots facing downward, toward the work surface. An elbow connected the spray bar to a length of flexible hose mounted on the upright of the handle of the scabbIer, with a valve mounted about midway down the handle. The hose mounted on the scabbIer was fitted with a standard garden hose fitting to allow it to be connected to a water supply hose. An 80% reduction in mean exposure levels of respirable dust was found with the use of the water control, from 3.88 mg/m3 to 0.64 mg/m3. This difference was statistically significant at the p=0.05 level. The difference was detected with 50% power in the 10 pairs of samples using a standard two-group t-test for equality of means.
Keywords
Silica-dusts; Respirable-dust; Concretes; Construction; Construction-equipment; Construction-industry; Construction-materials; Construction-workers; Control-technology; Grinding-equipment; Engineering-controls; Silicosis; Environmental-control-equipment; Exposure-limits; Region-4
CAS No.
7631-86-9; 14808-60-7
Document Type
Field Studies; Control Technology
NTIS Accession No.
PB2003-102265
Identifying No.
EPHB-247-15d
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
