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301-638-3326 • edcoinc.com • [email protected]
EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
SMI DUST AND SILICA WARNING
Grinding/cutting/drilling of masonry, concrete, metal and other materials can generate
dust, mists and fumes containing chemicals known to cause serious or fatal injury or ill-
ness, such as respiratory disease, cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. If you
are unfamiliar with the risks associated with the particular process and/or material
being cut or the composition of the tool being used, review the material safety data sheets and/or
consult your employer, the manufacturers/suppliers, governmental agencies such as OSHA and NIOSH
and other sources on hazardous materials. California and some other authorities, for instance, have
published lists of substances known to cause cancer, reproductive toxicity, or other harmful effects.
Control dust, mist and fumes at the source where possible. In this regard use good work practices and
follow the recommendations of the manufacturers/suppliers, OSHA/NIOSH, and occupational and trade
associates. Water should be used for dust suppression when wet grinding/cutting/drilling is feasible.
When the hazards from inhalation of dust, mists and fumes cannot be eliminated, the operator and any
bystanders should always wear a respirator approved by NIOSH/OSHA for the material being used.
Grinding/cutting/drilling of masonry, concrete and other materials with silica in their com-
position may give off dusts or mists containing crystalline silica. Silica is a basic component
of sand, quartz, brick clay, granite and numerous other minerals and rocks. Repeated
and/or substantial inhalation of airborne crystalline silica can cause serious or fatal respi-
ratory diseases, including silicosis. In addition, California and some other authorities have listed repairable
crystalline silica as a substance known to cause cancer. When grinding/cutting/drilling such materials, al-
ways follow the respiratory precautions mentioned above.
