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OSHA and NIOSH Issue Hazard Alert for Silica Exposure During Hydraulic Fracturing Operations
On June 21, 2012, U.S. OSHA and NIOSH issued a joint hazard alert for silica exposures during hydraulic fracturing operations in the oil and gas industry. NIOSH collected airborne silica samples during fracturing activities in five states. NIOSH determined that 47% of the samples indicated silica exposures that exceeded the OSHA PEL. A total of 9% if the samples showed silica exposures in excess of 10 times the OSHA PEL. The sampling determined that sand mover and blender operators had the highest silica exposures.
NIOSH and OSHA are recommending that air monitoring be conducted at hydraulic fracturing operations to determine worker exposures to silica and the control of dust exposures through engineering controls and safe work practices. NIOSH and OSHA also have identified the need to provide respiratory protection where necessary in addition to training employees on silica and other chemical hazards.
The full text alert can be found at: http://www.osha.gov/dts/hazardalerts/hydraulic_frac_hazard_alert.html. |
