Occupational Health Program for Exposure to Crystalline Silica in the Industrial Sand Industry

The National Industrial Sand Association (NISA) NISA is committed to the elimination of the adverse health effects associated with the inhalation of respirable crystalline silica.  To that end, NISA has developed a manual titled Occupational Health Program for Exposure to Crystalline Silica in the Industrial Sand Industry.  The manual provides guidelines by which NISA member companies can monitor occupational exposures and associated health effects of crystalline silica exposure. 

The program consists of the following basic components:

1.  Job placement health evaluations for respiratory status.

2.  Periodic respiratory health evaluations.

3.  Workplace dust exposure monitoring.

4.  Integration of exposure and medical monitoring.

The manual provides guidelines by which NISA member companies can engage in monitoring of silica exposures and medical surveillance of their employees both to control exposure to respirable crystalline silica and to provide a data base for future epidemiological studies.  The guidance included in the manual reflets the recommendations of health research organizations such as the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Natioanal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and regulatory agencies such as the Mine Safety and health Administration (MSHA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  This guidance is provided to assist member companies in designing a program to meet the elements of assessment of silica exposure and medical assessment of silicosis of the NISA Silicosis Prevention Program.  However, each company is ultimately responsible for tailoring its program to meet its individual needs.  Competent physicians, industrial hygienists, and other professionals should be consulted as needed for advice on implementing a program that meets these guidelines.

NISA provides copies of the manual to interested parties.  Click here to order a hard copy and/or CD (cost is $16).  Alternatively, the entire program can be downloaded below.

Important Information - Read This First

To download the manual, click here.

NISA Silicosis Prevention Program

NISA member companies who have committed to managing a comprehensive silicosis prevention program, and who have signed the management commitment, are part of the NISA Silicosis Prevention Program (SPP).  An abreviated version of the SPP can be viewed by clicking here.

Companies which have made the management committment are as follows:

Badger Mining Corporation

Carmeuse Lime & Stone

C.E.D. Process Minerals, Inc.

Fairmount Minerals

Heemskirk Canada Limited

Keener Sand & Clay Co.

Opta Minerals Inc.

P. W. Gillibrand Co., Inc.

Ricci Bros. Sand Co., Inc.

Sil Industrial Minerals

Superior Silica Sands LLC

Unimin Corporation

U.S. Silica Company

WHIBCO, Inc.