Professions Associated With Silica Dust Exposure

Which Professions Are Linked to Silica Dust Exposure?

Anyone who’s job involves the disturbance of the earth, sand, soil, gravel or rocks is at risk of inhaling the tiny particles of silica dust (RCS) that cause so many lung issues. 

Occupations that carry a particularly high risk of this occurring include:

• Construction work
• Cement manufacture
• Ship building 
• Rubber and plastic manufacture
• Paint production
• Soap and cosmetic production
• Roofing
• Jewellery manufacture or repair
• Dental work
• Automobile manufacture and repair
• Boiler fabricators and repairers
• Plumbing
• Demolition work
• Mining
• Foundry work
• Tunnel work
• Stone-masonry
• Sand-blasting
• Glass manufacture
• Steel industry 
• Quarrying 
• Stone-cutting
• Painting and decorating
• Ceramics work

The occupations listed above carry an increased risk of exposure to silica dust, but are by no means the only jobs in which the risk is prevalent. It has recently been discovered that people working in the textiles industry, sandblasting denim for the production of ‘distressed’ or ‘stone-washed’ jeans have an increased risk of inhaling the particles which are fired at the material to give it the weathered look.

Farmers and those involved in agriculture can be at risk when ploughing or tilling the soil, depending on wind conditions, the nature of the machinery that they use, and the type of soil with which they work.

Anyone who’s job involves the cutting, drilling, polishing, grinding, sawing or disturbance of materials or products that contain silica is at risk of inhaling the particles unless appropriate control measures are put in place.

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