OSHA program to focus on exposure to crystalline silica.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. agency established (1970) in the Dept. of Labor (see Labor, United States Department of) to develop and enforce regulations for the safety and health of workers in businesses that are engaged in interstate (OSHA OSHA
n.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a branch of the US Department of Labor responsible for establishing and enforcing safety and health standards in the workplace. ) announced the beginning of a statewide local emphasis program in Kansas aimed at reducing the frequency of work-related silicosis resulting from employee exposure to crystalline silica. Silica is a general term for the compound silicon dioxide silicon dioxide: see silica.

(SiO₂) A hard, glassy mineral found in such materials as rock, quartz, sand and opal. In MOS chip fabrication, it is used to create the insulation layer between the metal gates of the top layer and the silicon elements below. (SiO2).

Crystalline silica is the basic component of sand, quartz and granite rock. Occupational exposure to crystalline silica dust can produce silicosis silicosis (sĭlĭkō`sĭs), occupational disease of the lungs caused by inhalation of free silica (quartz) dust over a prolonged period of time. , a dust disease of the lung. Inhalation of dusts that contain crystalline silica also has been associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
n. Abbr. COPD
A chronic lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema, in which breathing becomes slowed or forced. , bronchitis, tuberculosis and lung cancer.

Under this local emphasis program, the OSHA office in Wichita, Kan. will randomly select for inspection general industry workplaces where exposures to crystalline silica are possible. The agency's goal is to reduce employee exposures to silica-related hazards through education and increased awareness. Training and outreach opportunities will be coordinated by the Wichita OSHA office.

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Title Annotation:	North America
Publication:	Modern Casting
Date:	May 1, 2006
Words:	151
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Topics:	Occupational health and safety Occupational safety and health Silica Silicon dioxide

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