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Data Version 8.0
The silica exposure estimates in the Silica Control ToolTM are based on analysis of a silica exposure measurement database (Data version 8.0).
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Elimination & Substitution
Elimination & substitution is the removal of the hazard by eliminating the silica process, or the replacement of the hazard by substituting the material or equipment with less RCS dust producing alternatives.
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Engineering Controls
Engineering controls are engineered methods that are built into the design of equipment, process, or plant to minimize a hazardous exposure.
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Exposure Control Plan (ECP)
The ECP is a document that sets out the plan the employer will implement to protect workers from hazardous exposure to RCS dust.
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ECP Support Documentation & Materials
ECP support documentation & materials are related records that substantiate the ECP.
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Exposure Health Risks
Breathing in silica dust can cause permanent damage to the lungs.
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Exposure Level
Measured in milligrams per cubic metre (mg/m3), Exposure Level is the concentration of a hazardous substance to which a worker is exposed during a specified period.
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Exposure Limit
The exposure limit is the legal limit that workers can be exposed to a harmful substance.
Topics
A Topic is a keyword or label that categorizes resources and questions with other, similar resources and questions.
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A B C
D E F
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Acceptable Level (alias)
The exposure limit is the legal limit that workers can be exposed to a harmful substance.
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Action Level
The level of concentration of a harmful or toxic substance or contaminant (such as RCS Dust) that when exceeded is considered sufficient to warrant regulatory action / provisions.
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Administrative Controls
Administrative controls are work practices and policies planned and implemented with the goal to reduce the risk of RCS dust exposure.
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Air Monitoring Tests
Air monitoring tests are air quality measurements captured through the use of air quality monitoring instrumentation.
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ALARA
Acronym for As Low As Reasonably Achievable, ALARA is a safety principle and regulatory requirement for minimizing exposure to harmful or toxic substances or contaminants that are linked to cancer.
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Amorphous silica vs. Crystalline silica
Silica molecules can combine into different forms. Two of these forms are amorphous silica, and crystalline silica.
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Crushing and Processing of Rock / Sand / Earth
Practice considerations to control the RCS dust risk associated with this work activity.
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Crystalline Silica (alias)
RCS dust is airborne crystalline silica dust that is respirable to those in close proximity to the source.
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Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in BC (HSRC)
The HSRC contains legal requirements that must be met by all workplaces under the inspectional jurisdiction of the Office of the Chief Inspector of Mines under the authority of the Mines Act.
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HEPA Vacuum
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuums are vacuum cleaners that contain filters capable of trapping extremely small particles.
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Hierarchy of Controls
The Hierarchy of Controls is the order in which controls should be considered.
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Housekeeping
Housekeeping is the cleaning of the work area and equipment from accumulated dust.
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Hygiene
Hygiene is the cleaning of the worker and PPE from accumulated dust.
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Inspections & Maintenance
For the purpose of RCS dust control, machinery and engineering controls should undergo scheduled and documented inspections and maintenance to ensure they are kept in good working order.
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Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Systems (alias)
A local exhaust ventilation system is designed to catch the dust at or near the source before it reaches the air the worker breathes.
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Manually moving of Rock / Sand / Earth
Practice considerations to control the RCS dust risk associated with this work activity.
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Mechanized moving of Rock / Sand / Earth
Practice considerations to control the RCS dust risk associated with this work activity.
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Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) (alias)
The exposure limit is the legal limit that workers can be exposed to a harmful substance.
T U V-
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is equipment worn by workers to reduce exposure.
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Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) Dust
RCS dust is airborne crystalline silica dust that is respirable to those in close proximity to the source.
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Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is a protective device that covers the worker’s nose and mouth or the entire face and head to keep airborne contaminants out of the worker’s respiratory system and provide a safe air supply.
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Separation from Source systems
Separation from source systems are systems used for the purpose of keeping the dust "in" and the workers "out" (or visa versa).
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Silica Control Tool
The Mining Silica Control ToolTM was developed as a resource for the mining industry.
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Silica Dust (alias)
RCS dust is airborne crystalline silica dust that is respirable to those in close proximity to the source.
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Silica Process
A silica process is a process, such as a work activity under particular conditions, that results in a hazardous level of RCS dust.
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Silica Safety Instruction & Training
Silica Safety Instruction & Training is the structured and documented preparation of workers in how to safely work within environments where RCS dust is a risk.
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Sweeping (any mining area)
Practice considerations to control the RCS dust risk associated with this work activity.
W X Y Z-
TLV-TWA (alias)
The exposure limit is the legal limit that workers can be exposed to a harmful substance.
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Ventilation Systems
A local exhaust ventilation system is designed to catch the dust at or near the source before it reaches the air the worker breathes.
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Wet Systems
Wet systems are systems that use liquid for the purpose of dust prevention and/or dust suppression.
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Work Activities & Definitions
Work activities in the Silica Control ToolTM are aligned with the following definitions.
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Work Shift Scheduling
Work Shift Scheduling is planning the work schedule to limit the amount of time an individual worker is exposed to a substance.
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Acceptable Level (alias)