What are OSHA’s silica dust standards?

OSHA’s current standards require employers to limit employees’ exposure to silica dust. This includes installing systems to capture dust before it leaves equipment. However, it also must include the use of industrial vacuum cleaners for silica dust to clean any that may escape from those collection systems.

For general industry applications, employers are required to protect workers from exposure to silica dust levels above the permissible exposure limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an eight-hour day.

What should vacuums used to capture silica dust feature?

A vacuum for silica dust used in an industrial environment must include a high-efficiency particular air (HEPA) filter. This is a pleated filter that is capable of capturing particulates in the air as small as 0.3 microns.

A HEPA vacuum by definition should be able to remove at least 99.97% of dust and other airborne particles, leaving the air cleaner and preventing prolonged exposure to harmful contaminants. Choosing one of our high-efficiency particulate air vacuums provides your workplace with the highest levels of protection.

In which industries are employees potentially exposed to silica dust?

There is a chance of silica dust exposure in a wide range of industries. These include construction, mining, foundries, manufacturing, dentistry, and oil and gas extraction. Employers working in any of these fields should invest in industrial HEPA vacuum systems to reduce their risk.