|
<<< Back to Silica, Crystalline - Additional Information |
Printing Instructions |
General Construction (2004) -- Success with Silica
|
| |
|
| State: |
Illinois |
| |
|
| Company: |
P. J. Hoerr, Inc. |
| |
|
| Industry: |
General Building Contractor – Non-Residential
(SIC Code 1611/NAICS Code 11061) |
| |
|
| Employees: |
150 |
| |
|
| Success Brief: |
P.J. Hoerr, Inc., was able to avoid employee exposure
to concrete silica dust and save significant money on the cost of dust clean up. |
| |
|
|
The Problem:
When construction on an addition to a medical facility was near completion, it became necessary to
grind high spots off of the concrete floor. The company wanted to avoid exposing its employees, as
well as other workers nearby, to the concrete silica dust that would be generated during the
grinding process. Using a wet system was not feasible inside the nearly completed building.
The Solution:
To contain the concrete silica dust, the Company purchased a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner ($600 -
$1200) that was equipped with a housing that fit around the grinder (See photograph below). All of
the concrete dust particles generated during the grinding were sucked from inside the housing into
the vacuum cleaner and contained by the HEPA filter. Use of the vacuum cleaner housing prevented any
particles from escaping into the ambient air.
The Impact:
Employee exposure to the hazardous silica dust generated during grinding of the concrete was
completely eliminated. In addition to this immediate health benefit, the Company avoided the
hazardous and costly process of cleaning up the silica dust that would otherwise have been deposited
on the walls and floor of the facility.
The Source:
Mr. Steve Williams, Safety Coordinator, P. J. Hoerr, Inc. (July 2004).
Use of HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner prevents
silica dust from escaping into the air.
|
| |
|
Back to Top
