Gas and oil industry organizations are working with federal officials to help spread the word about health risks from silica exposure at fracking sites as well as finding ways to control workers’ exposure to fracking sand dust.
When the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health issued a hazard alert about the risks from crystalline silica in dust last year, the agencies had already been working closely with industry representatives in the study of airborne silica levels at sites where hydraulic fracturing is used to stimulate production. Silica crystals are commonly found in sand, but they become a hazard when large amounts of dust are generated in industrial settings.
NIOSH — a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — is the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations to prevent work-related illnesses and injuries. In 2005, it teamed up with OSHA as well as volunteers from private industry to research the level of silica dust and other health threats at gas and oil production sites.
Related: Safety First: That Accident Cost How Much?
Once the hazard alert was issued, the federal agencies again asked industry partners to help spread the message about the risks, the safety requirements and possible strategies to control workers’ exposures to the silica dust.
In an email response to questions about the hazard alert follow-up, an OSHA spokesman wrote, “OSHA is committed to a wide distribution of the hazard alert to provide information to operators and workers on the hazard and abatement methods. We have already distributed the hazard alert to field personnel, as well as to our State Plan partners, On-site Consultation project managers, and Alliance partners.”
OSHA is working with national organizations such as the American Petroleum Institute and Association of Energy Services Company as well as regional groups such as the South Texas Exploration and Petroleum Safety Network to distribute the hazard alert to producers, operators and well service companies.
Related: Safety First: Recording Injuries is a Key to Prevention
Working with OSHA and NIOSH, the National STEPS Network has formed an industry work group focused on developing strategies to control respirable silica exposure for oil field workers. The industry committee has three subgroups looking at key topics including:
- Engineering controls to limit respirable silica exposure;
- Industrial monitoring for exposure to respirable silica; and
- Short-term suggestions for industry response to the hazard alert.
Short-term solutions can include the use of safety gear, having companies require masks for workers who might be exposed to the dust from fracking sands. They can also include new equipment designs to contain dust, keeping it out of the air being breathed by workers.
The National STEPS Network was involved in the initial research and the spokesman for the organization says there have been “a lot of organizations working together” to spread the word about the hazards and to seek proactive solutions. He says some larger energy companies are working directly with OSHA on developing their own voluntary programs to deal with the silica hazards.
Related: Safety First: Eliminate the Danger
In an email response to questions about the follow-up since the alert was issued, OSHA spokesman Egan Reich says, “The goal of this work group is to explore and openly share information about best practices and engineering controls, including those already in existence and those under development. The work group is also collaborating with OSHA to disseminate the hazard alert and any information generated by the group as broadly as possible.”
The greatest risk from breathing silica dust is silicosis, an illness closely linked to other respiratory ailments affecting workers, including black lung disease, which was once the scourge of coal miners. In its mildest and most common form, silicosis can cause swelling in the lungs and chest lymph nodes and can cause trouble breathing. Acute forms can cause more rapid onset of symptoms and the lungs can become very inflamed and fill with fluid, causing severe shortness of breath. There is no cure for silicosis once it is present. Silica dust can also increase a person’s risk of contracting lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and airways diseases.
OHSA’s On-Site Consultation offers free confidential advice for businesses with fewer than 250 employees at a site (no more than 500 nationwide) to help identify and correct hazards. Businesses can visit to find the nearest OSHA Consultation Office or they can call 800/321-OSHA. Operators can also request a NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation. For information, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/HHEprogram.html.
- Subscribe
- If you don't want to bring your iPad into the bathroom, we can send you a magazine subscription for free!
The latest news since the hazard alert was released is OSHA’s recent proposal for changes to the Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica rule. This is currently only a proposal, not a final rule, so OSHA is asking for your help to participate in the development of the rule. Visit the OSHA website for more information and to find out how you can comment on the proposed rule.
How do you keep your workers safe from exposure to fracking sand dust? Post a comment below.
- Subscribe
- Save the trees for beavers, sign up for our E-Newsletter!
Like this story? Sign up for alerts!
_80_80_c1.jpg)
Comments