How to protect construction workers from exposure to respirable Crystalline Silica during Asphalt Pavement Milling

Construction workers who are exposed to respirable crystalline silica have a high risk of developing silicosis, a debilitating and sometimes fatal lung disease. Lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as renal disease are also common among workers who are exposed to silica dust.

0.05 mg/m3 is NIOSH’s respirable crystalline silica Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) but many worker’s exposure exceed this limit.

Construction workers involved in asphalt pavement mining are among the workers  who are the most at risk of being overexposed to respirable Crystalline Silica.

To protect these workers from personal injury related to overexposure to crystalline silica, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has worked with an array of industry stakeholders — heavy/highway construction contractors, labor organizations, equipment manufacturers, and government officials — to identify solutions. They recently published guidelines and industry best practices to control construction workers exposure to this dangerous dust during Asphalt Pavement Milling. The complete document can be downloaded here. A brief Field Guide for Controlling Silica Dust Exposure on Asphalt Pavement Milling Machines  produced by CPWR, NIOSH and NAPA is also available.