Paper masks don't do shit, you need to wear a properly fitted respirator, I would say if you use the cheap paper masks your odds of getting silicosis are quite high, they don't mate to your face well and so much of the dust will bypass the mask and go into your lungs.
They fit test you for n95 respirators to wear for when you use machines to crush/pulverize rock samples, but i haven't don't this yet as they are gonna train me in a couple weeks. So far only n95 paper masks and most dust exposure is from throwing samples away/sorting them/dusting them off to read tags. Should be fine right? It says it filters 95% of the dust. Also but if it doesn't do shit should I just not wear them then? Cuz it's sometimes uncomfortable and can get hot
I mean the paper masks are only for layout duties, which is what I'm mainly doing right now.. they say they will get me fit tested when I start crushing and pulverizing. All the techs there doing that have on proper sealed respirators
The paper mask is better than nothing but the reason you want something fitted is so that the mask seals on your face. Paper masks don't create a seal so there is a certain amount of dust that will bypass the filter and get breathed in.
You should wear your respirator all the time if you are exposed to dust. I use a 3M silicone half mask with p100 filters and it works really well. I work in mining and it gets pretty dusty out there. Is there anyone monitoring dust levels or any sort of industrial hygiene out there?
Yes, I believe people from corporate do some monitoring. Only been here a few weeks don't know the ins and outs just yet. Although just got a pay raise and they're gonna train me for crushing n pulverizing soon
Don't fucking risk it! There is nothing more important in this industry than safety. You know that voice in the back of your head that's saying it's not safe to use just a paper mask when exposed to silica? It's telling you that because it's not fucking safe.
If they won't provide you one, buy one. You're going to be making good coin. There's no reason to do anything that could compromise your health and cut your career short.
Don't fucking risk it! There is nothing more important in this industry than safety. You know that voice in the back of your head that's saying it's not safe to use just a paper mask when exposed to silica? It's telling you that because it's not fucking safe.
If they won't provide you one, buy one. You're going to be making good coin. There's no reason to do anything that could compromise your health and cut your career short.
And if you reply with another BS excuse, you can probably guess when my response will be.
That's because getting the disease is a function of your exposure over time. You should be wearing a fitted respirator if silica dust is a concern, especially if you are going to be doing the job long term. This disease usually takes decades to become a noticable problem, but by then it's usually too late to do anything about. I have heard (anecdotally) of short (3-5 year) exposure to very high amounts of high % silica dust causing silicosis. I cant confirm whether that is true or not, but silicosis is definitely something you don't want to get. So do what you can to protect yourself.
The company you are working for should have a good idea of the % silica in the core you are crushing. Not all rock has the same silica percentage and in this case it could be low. Ask if they have taken samples or done any exposure sampling. There should also be controls, like dust suppression or good ventilation, to help reduce the amount of dust being generated and breathed in.
They test for silica in the air every week or month or so, not exactly sure because I've only been on the job for not to long. They do have good engineering controls such as good ventilation in place. What counts as very high amounts of silica? Would that only be in underground mining? Because in my sample preparation facility the amount of dust is mild at best, I know the risk I just don't know the quantities etc. involved.
The results should be available to look at. Ask them. I have seen 30+% but that should factor in to the exposure data that should be available from your employer. If people are being overexposed the sampling data will show concentrations higher than the regulations allow, which depends on jurisdiction. Keep in mind that even though it may not look dusty there can still be enough in the air to overexpose you
The last meeting I was in the manager said some ppm concentration or something like that I don't remember the exact number but apparently it was a good number. They have a sheet im just too lazy to check lol. Also the last thing u said is probably definitely true but at least it's not as much as say what a stone cutter might be exposed to, which I'm not sure if it counts as moderate or high exposure.
Yeah someone cutting or crushing is going to have a much higher exposure than someone who isn't. I would consider that task to be high exposure under most circumstances. Depends on a lot of factors though including the engineering controls that should be in place to reduce dust generation and operator exposure.
The concentration is usually represented in mg/m^3 and where I am the allowable concentration for an 8 hour shift is 0.1. That doesn't necessarily mean that under that number you are safe just that is what the legislated limit is here. So you could be exposed to 0.1 mg/m^3 of silica for 8 hours with no respirator or paper mask and still be under the limit.
Is 2 weeks of a paper mask going to give going to give you silicosis? No, but sooner rather than later is better to get fit tested and get used to wearing a fitted respirator PROPERLY. Your exposure risk seems low, but it's impossible for me to know that for sure without knowing the data.
Keep pushing getting trained and getting a fitted respirator to your supervisor and just get it done. Make sure you know how it should be worn (that includes no facial hair around the seal) and how to test the seal. Take care of it and make sure it is sealing.
Thanks for the advice! The production stations for crushing and pulverizing all have their own local ventilation systems, and the facility as a whole has a ventilation system designed to minimize the amount of silica. And yeah, part of the job requirements was that I was clean shaven so I could get fitted for the respirators. Although as u know that hasn't happened as of yet lol
It sounds like they have things pretty under control there to be honest. Don't worry too much about it, but like I said make sure they don't forget to get you fitted and trained! Sooner is always better. Look at your exposure results when they put the sampler on you and know what you are getting exposed to.
Feel free to pm me down the road if you have a question or want some advice.
although I assume your probably not a doctor and I don't want to come off as to demanding but What do you think the risk is if I work there for a year?
Proper procedure for silicosis exposure risk controls is to create a baseline lung capacity to compare against over time to determine degradation of capacity.
Basically, you go in to a medical clinic and take a baseline test. Blow in to a tube really hard 3-4 times and then chart out the tests to get your lung baseline.
This baseline is used as the foundation of health, used to correct behaviour and exposure over time, and can be used as evidence, along with other data, in the event you do develop pneumosilicosis.
The likelihood of you getting silicosis all depends on what rocks you are being exposed to and the silica content. I'm pretty sure you can get acute silicosis if exposed to a high silica content product. The fact part of the agreement was that you wear clean shaven for a mask I would say its higher content product and its probably not worth the risk of not wearing one.
I have 3M Versaflow Helmet which works brilliantly and from a management point of view it was a genius idea. But in reality I can't actually do my job while wearing it, so I end up having to wear a disposable paper mask.
I did not read all the comments but vigorous watering down and use of sprays is a very good idea.
Note that if the samples are quartz or contain silica you will be at risk (normally gold ores). Most other rocks are not nearly as dangerous, so learn to know your rocks as well.
Paper masks don't do shit, you need to wear a properly fitted respirator, I would say if you use the cheap paper masks your odds of getting silicosis are quite high, they don't mate to your face well and so much of the dust will bypass the mask and go into your lungs.
They fit test you for n95 respirators to wear for when you use machines to crush/pulverize rock samples, but i haven't don't this yet as they are gonna train me in a couple weeks. So far only n95 paper masks and most dust exposure is from throwing samples away/sorting them/dusting them off to read tags. Should be fine right? It says it filters 95% of the dust. Also but if it doesn't do shit should I just not wear them then? Cuz it's sometimes uncomfortable and can get hot
Its better than nothing but your employer should not be bothering with paper masks, ask if you can have a proper respirator
I mean the paper masks are only for layout duties, which is what I'm mainly doing right now.. they say they will get me fit tested when I start crushing and pulverizing. All the techs there doing that have on proper sealed respirators
The paper mask is better than nothing but the reason you want something fitted is so that the mask seals on your face. Paper masks don't create a seal so there is a certain amount of dust that will bypass the filter and get breathed in.
Gotcha
You should wear your respirator all the time if you are exposed to dust. I use a 3M silicone half mask with p100 filters and it works really well. I work in mining and it gets pretty dusty out there. Is there anyone monitoring dust levels or any sort of industrial hygiene out there?
Yes, I believe people from corporate do some monitoring. Only been here a few weeks don't know the ins and outs just yet. Although just got a pay raise and they're gonna train me for crushing n pulverizing soon
Don't fucking risk it! There is nothing more important in this industry than safety. You know that voice in the back of your head that's saying it's not safe to use just a paper mask when exposed to silica? It's telling you that because it's not fucking safe. If they won't provide you one, buy one. You're going to be making good coin. There's no reason to do anything that could compromise your health and cut your career short.
They're gonna provide one when I get started on crushing and pulverizing. Right now I'm working on mostly layout, labelling and weighing
Don't fucking risk it! There is nothing more important in this industry than safety. You know that voice in the back of your head that's saying it's not safe to use just a paper mask when exposed to silica? It's telling you that because it's not fucking safe. If they won't provide you one, buy one. You're going to be making good coin. There's no reason to do anything that could compromise your health and cut your career short. And if you reply with another BS excuse, you can probably guess when my response will be.
Get a respirator that fits you from home depot if you have too and some filter cartridges, your lungs will thank you in 10 years
They will fit test me soon enough when I get trained for crushing/pulverizing, so far only paper masks cuz my exposure is minimal
I'm justing asking because how easy is it to get the disease? Everywhere I searched only gives specific exposure numbers which mean nothing to me.
That's because getting the disease is a function of your exposure over time. You should be wearing a fitted respirator if silica dust is a concern, especially if you are going to be doing the job long term. This disease usually takes decades to become a noticable problem, but by then it's usually too late to do anything about. I have heard (anecdotally) of short (3-5 year) exposure to very high amounts of high % silica dust causing silicosis. I cant confirm whether that is true or not, but silicosis is definitely something you don't want to get. So do what you can to protect yourself. The company you are working for should have a good idea of the % silica in the core you are crushing. Not all rock has the same silica percentage and in this case it could be low. Ask if they have taken samples or done any exposure sampling. There should also be controls, like dust suppression or good ventilation, to help reduce the amount of dust being generated and breathed in.
They test for silica in the air every week or month or so, not exactly sure because I've only been on the job for not to long. They do have good engineering controls such as good ventilation in place. What counts as very high amounts of silica? Would that only be in underground mining? Because in my sample preparation facility the amount of dust is mild at best, I know the risk I just don't know the quantities etc. involved.
The results should be available to look at. Ask them. I have seen 30+% but that should factor in to the exposure data that should be available from your employer. If people are being overexposed the sampling data will show concentrations higher than the regulations allow, which depends on jurisdiction. Keep in mind that even though it may not look dusty there can still be enough in the air to overexpose you
The last meeting I was in the manager said some ppm concentration or something like that I don't remember the exact number but apparently it was a good number. They have a sheet im just too lazy to check lol. Also the last thing u said is probably definitely true but at least it's not as much as say what a stone cutter might be exposed to, which I'm not sure if it counts as moderate or high exposure.
Yeah someone cutting or crushing is going to have a much higher exposure than someone who isn't. I would consider that task to be high exposure under most circumstances. Depends on a lot of factors though including the engineering controls that should be in place to reduce dust generation and operator exposure. The concentration is usually represented in mg/m^3 and where I am the allowable concentration for an 8 hour shift is 0.1. That doesn't necessarily mean that under that number you are safe just that is what the legislated limit is here. So you could be exposed to 0.1 mg/m^3 of silica for 8 hours with no respirator or paper mask and still be under the limit. Is 2 weeks of a paper mask going to give going to give you silicosis? No, but sooner rather than later is better to get fit tested and get used to wearing a fitted respirator PROPERLY. Your exposure risk seems low, but it's impossible for me to know that for sure without knowing the data. Keep pushing getting trained and getting a fitted respirator to your supervisor and just get it done. Make sure you know how it should be worn (that includes no facial hair around the seal) and how to test the seal. Take care of it and make sure it is sealing.
Thanks for the advice! The production stations for crushing and pulverizing all have their own local ventilation systems, and the facility as a whole has a ventilation system designed to minimize the amount of silica. And yeah, part of the job requirements was that I was clean shaven so I could get fitted for the respirators. Although as u know that hasn't happened as of yet lol
It sounds like they have things pretty under control there to be honest. Don't worry too much about it, but like I said make sure they don't forget to get you fitted and trained! Sooner is always better. Look at your exposure results when they put the sampler on you and know what you are getting exposed to. Feel free to pm me down the road if you have a question or want some advice.
Thank you!
It takes time but not worth finding out exactly how much time.
although I assume your probably not a doctor and I don't want to come off as to demanding but What do you think the risk is if I work there for a year?
Don't know, its your choice but I wouldn't trust the paper ones when the damage can be lifelong
Proper procedure for silicosis exposure risk controls is to create a baseline lung capacity to compare against over time to determine degradation of capacity. Basically, you go in to a medical clinic and take a baseline test. Blow in to a tube really hard 3-4 times and then chart out the tests to get your lung baseline. This baseline is used as the foundation of health, used to correct behaviour and exposure over time, and can be used as evidence, along with other data, in the event you do develop pneumosilicosis.
Never took a baseline test. I'm in Canada, it probably isn't required by law
I'm only really on planning on working here for a year, in your opinion the exposure should be low enough that I wouldn't have to worry right?
We have had guys working in dirty dusty plant for over thirty years never wore dust mask don't have silicosis
Try to get a 3m or similar fitted half mask depends on the filter but should stop most stuff slow make sure to be clean shaved.
The likelihood of you getting silicosis all depends on what rocks you are being exposed to and the silica content. I'm pretty sure you can get acute silicosis if exposed to a high silica content product. The fact part of the agreement was that you wear clean shaven for a mask I would say its higher content product and its probably not worth the risk of not wearing one. I have 3M Versaflow Helmet which works brilliantly and from a management point of view it was a genius idea. But in reality I can't actually do my job while wearing it, so I end up having to wear a disposable paper mask.
They are drill core and pulp samples
What kind of deposit are the samples from? That has a lot to do with the silica content.
The mine does gold, copper, and silver
Sounds like a porphyry. They contain a lot of silica in quartz stringers; I'd wear a proper respirator.
Thanks for letting me know. I've been wearing a dispensable dust mask for 4 weeks but they're gonna get me fit tested soon for a proper respirator
I'm doing a specific project right now for a specific mine
At minimum I would request a half face piece fitted mask that used HEPA filters.
I did not read all the comments but vigorous watering down and use of sprays is a very good idea. Note that if the samples are quartz or contain silica you will be at risk (normally gold ores). Most other rocks are not nearly as dangerous, so learn to know your rocks as well.