Operating Engineers and the OSHA Silica Standard: A Survey of Union Trainers

• Published in: New solutions Vol. 29; no. 4; pp. 530 - 535
• Main Authors: Barlet, Grace, Sokas, Rosemary K., Betit, Eileen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.02.2020; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Education; Engineering; Engineers; Excavation; Exposure; Filtration; Hazardous Substances - standards; Health risks; Hierarchies; Humans; Internet; Job training; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Occupational Exposure - legislation & jurisprudence; Occupational Exposure - prevention & control; Occupational health; Occupational Health - legislation & jurisprudence; Occupational Health - standards; Occupational safety; Polls & surveys; Prevention; Repair & maintenance; Silica; Silicon Dioxide - analysis; Silicon Dioxide - standards; Trucking industry; United States; United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration; Vibration; United States; hierarchy of controls; training; operating engineers; cab filtration; occupational health; silica
• ISSN: 1048-2911; 1541-3772
• DOI: 10.1177/1048291119889006

Enclosed cabs with filtration systems, an engineering control preferred in the hierarchy of controls, may reduce heavy equipment operators’ silica exposure during demolition, grading, and excavation. We surveyed operating engineer trainers about silica training, familiarity with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) silica standard, and cab filtration systems. A voluntary and anonymous online survey was e-mailed to 437 trainers in January 2018. The response rate was 22.9 percent (n = 100). Most trainers (84 percent) covered health risks and silica exposure prevention in their courses. Of these, 59 percent discussed cab filtration as an engineering control. Trainers identified possible barriers to the use of cab filtration systems and a need for education to increase use, and raised concerns about other exposures associated with heavy equipment use. Education about selection, use, and maintenance of cab filtration systems to control silica exposure is needed. Engineering improvements to heavy equipment should address cab filtration, noise, heat, and vibration.