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[May 2003]
Update on Exposure to Silica Dust
Copies of 'Control of Exposure to Silica Dust in Small Potteries' - the
Ceramics Information Sheet No 2 - are available from the Health & Safety
Executive (HSE). This details the risks from dusts containing respirable
silica dust (i.e. from clays and glazes) and the precautions necessary to
minimise exposure. The tabulated format makes it easy to read and
understand.The updated information follows on from a survey carried out by scientists
from the Health & Safety Laboratory (HSL), who visited 20 small and
medium-sized potteries to identify poor working practices and the measures
which could be taken to improve them and control exposure to silica dust.The survey found that the highest exposures were measured in casting,
fettling and workroom cleaning procedures and that reducing exposure does
not necessarily mean introducing expensive hardware into the workplace.
Methods identified to achieve adequate control were often simple,
inexpensive and based on good methods of working.Silica is classed as a hazardous substance and has a maximum exposure limit
of 0.3mg/m3. This means that this limit should not be exceeded and exposure
should be reduced as far below this level as is reasonably practicable. In
addition, due to concerns that prolonged exposure to levels of silica dust
below the limit may still present a health risk, the HSE recommend health
surveillance for people who are exposed to more than 0.08mg/m3 over an
8-hour period.Following the precautions described in the information sheet should help to
adequately control exposures and, though primarily aimed at small and
medium-sized potteries, the information contained will be useful to those in
the craft and educational sectors as well.The information sheet's code is CEIS2 and it can be ordered from the HSE's
book web site: www.hsebooks.co.uk
ENDS