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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 illness, 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 occupa-
tional and trade associations. 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/MSHA for the material being used.
Grinding/cutting/drilling of masonry, concrete and other materials with silica in their composi-
tion may give off dust 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 respiratory diseases, including
silicosis. In addition, California and some other authorities have listed respirable crystalline silica
as a substance known to cause cancer. When grinding/cutting/drilling such materials, always
follow the respiratory precautions mentioned above.
See more on the importance of dust prevention and silica warnings at osha.gov/silica.
See more concrete and silica dust supression training and educational
materials at edcoinc.com/silica-standards or scan the QR code at right.
REVISED JUNE 1, 2017
DUST AND CRYSTALLINE SILICA WARNING
E-DCSW-0617
