[PSUscaper]

I just got done reading my local paper and right on the front page was this article:

http://www.njherald.com/secure_story...2798260395.php

From my other post, I brought up the point of the health hazard of such things as polymeric sand, and more importantly, concrete dust.

Though not directly related to our field, this is what I see coming our way.

If you don't have time to read the article, I'll some it up.

A construction worker cut a hole in a concrete wall while working at a school, and cut it dry.

If you read the article, you won't believe what 'havoc' this has caused.

They want to x ray everyone who may have inhaled 'silica' (hmmm, how much of that do we breath in daily) that was near the site.

This dust topic is going to become a BIG issue for us in the future. It is coming, and I wonder what we are going to do about it.

Can you imagine wet sawing all your work again? I can't, but think I better start thinking about it.

And I remember I read something about dry cutting in my area......well, in this article it states "A state law passed this spring banned dry cutting specifcally because it raises high levels of silica dust"...

I am making a prediction that within the next 2-3 years we all we'll be cutting differently. It is not going to take much for all eyes to be focussed on what we are doing.

[PSUscaper]

Some more food for thought.

I did some more work, and found this article.

http://www.cdc.gov/eLCOSH/docs/d0700...0/d000730.html

It appears that NJ is the FIRST state to ban dry cutting.

Though I can't say the law is being enforced, it is on the books.

Here's some more info the state has put out:

http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/su...drycutting.pdf

My big question at this point is what will be OUR responsibility to workers/clients that we have hired???? This is a MAJOR setup for workers and anyone exposed to concrete dust while working for our companies to file a grievance.

Ok, even if the guy doing the cutting wears a mask, what about he guys on the other side of the lawn who are still getting exposed to the dust? What about the client inside the house, what about the neighbors?

Am I making a mountain out of a manhole here, or is this a REAL concern that we need to address immediately???

here's the law that is on the books:

CHAPTER 172
AN ACT prohibiting the dry cutting and dry grinding of masonry in certain instances and
supplementing P.L.1962, c.45 (C.34:5-166 et seq.).
BE IT ENACTED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
C.34:5-182 Dry cutting, grinding of masonry, certain circumstances; prohibited.
1. In order to protect the health and safety of employees against the effects of silicosis and
other respiratory diseases, the dry cutting of masonry units by means of hand-held, gas-powered
or electrical, portable chop saws or skill saws and the dry grinding of masonry materials shall be
prohibited, except in instances in which it is determined, in a manner consistent with all
applicable standards promulgated pursuant to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act
of 1970 (29 U.S.C.s.651 et seq.), that the use of water in the cutting or grinding is not feasible.
In any instance in which it is determined pursuant to this section that the use of water in the
cutting or grinding is not feasible:
a. The employer shall use engineering and work practice controls to control the dust, such
as a vacuum with high efficiency particulate air filter, or other dust control system;
b. Any dry cutting which occurs shall be done in a designated area away from craftworkers
if possible; and
c. The employer shall provide workers with full face respirators as part of a complete
respiratory program which includes training, the proper selection of respiratory cartridges and
fit-testing to ensure that the workers are able to wear the respirators.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to emergency service personnel responding to
emergency situations.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Approved December 9, 2004.

[mrusk]

I just read that article and all i have to say is "wow".

Honestly, what ever lay they pass really should not effect us to much. If we have to buy some special vacum system to collect the dust from our demo saws, we will just pass the cost on to our clients.

Out of all the laws they pass, this is one we really can't fight. Lets face it, the dust is dangerous. How can we argue this?

[PSUscaper]

Yet another article dealing with silica:

http://www.irmi.com/Expert/Articles/2005/Slivka04.aspx

I strongly suggest reading this article, as it brings up some major concerns. I even laughed, because it mentions all the liability associated with molds.......how many of you have that on your policy now.....I know I do.

Here is my big question:

If you read this article and understand how silica can affect our lungs, does the thought of introducing a substance such as a polymer to the sand and increasing the chance of it sticking to the inside of our lungs scare you?

[mrusk]

Originally posted by PSUscaper
Yet another article dealing with silica:

http://www.irmi.com/Expert/Articles/2005/Slivka04.aspx

Here is my big question:

If you read this article and understand how silica can affect our lungs, does the thought of introducing a substance such as a polymer to the sand and increasing the chance of it sticking to the inside of our lungs scare you?

I guess we could all put our mask back on as we sweep the sand.

[Stonehenge]

I thought the xray idea was ridiculous - I'm not aware of a process by which silica is removed from the lungs - so all an xray would do is expose you to something else that's harmful. Brilliant.

I think the freak-out factor is probably this high because it's a school. If it's an office building, this doesn't even come up.

I like the idea of a safer workplace, but I don't like the idea of discoloring my paver projects by wet cutting. If we are forced to go back to tub saws running water, our prices will jump, and I'll turn in every competitor who cuts dry to make sure the playing field is level.

PSU - it seems the word "polymer" is scaring you more than it should. What about the polyvinyl chloride you probably work with every day? Or the dihydrogen oxide? Too much of that will absolutely kill you, especially if it gets in your lungs.

If you're freaked about what the "poly" is made from, make a phonecall.

From that most recent article you listed:

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that 300 people die each year from silica-related disease.

Here are some other stats worth reading:

Odds of accidental death by activity (and # of deaths anually)

From another article from the CDC, flu deaths average around 36,000 in the US every year.

While we use half-mask respirators, so I take health threats somewhat seriously, it sounds like you're maybe more worried than you ought to be. Get an action plan together and get safe if you're worried.

[Stonehenge]

For those too lazy to look for MSDS sheets on polymeric sand, here's one: http://www.hanoverpavers.com/pdfs/46..._sand_MSDS.pdf

[PSUscaper]

I understand fully what you are saying. It so happens my father was the deputy director of the health department for 25 years. Believe me when I say understand how rediculous the claims are that small amounts of silica are going to kill us.

The problem is not a health issue per say. It is a liabilty one. Now that this article is on the front page of the paper, what happens when a landscape shows up next store to a person who just got done reading it and pulls out the concrete saw.

The problem is that the issue is coming into the limelight.

I am going to do just what you say, and put a game plan into action. To be honest, It has always been a concern of mine with the amount of dust created on my jobs.

Hek, if anything, this may be a very, very good marketing scheme.

[Paul]

OSHA has been worried about this for some time, I recall safety training classes way back in the late 80"s on this. S*** tells everyone how old I am

Here in Illinois we have about the same law, I'm not about to look it up. If we read farther into it and check with the EPA they have even more to say about dust problems and work sites. Wet cutting can still be done with chop saws all you need is a pump sprayer or a hose attachment for your saw. In fact most new saws come with this now. Even working your skid steer with a harley rake when it's really dry out can cause dust problems and health risks. I guess it's time we go back to splitting pavers, besides it cheaper!

[Stonehenge]

Originally posted by PSUscaper
Hek, if anything, this may be a very, very good marketing scheme.

There's the PSU I know.

[familyguy]

on a somewhat related note, i was just talking to a mason who was telling me he destroyed a clients mosquito magnet from concrete dust.

he didnt see it and didnt realize the way it worked when he did so he "filled" the thing with dust and destroyed it.

for those of you unfamiliar, they work by sucjing the attracted bugs into em. so the gentle suck filled the thing with concrete dust and choked the parts.