NYCOSH Safety & Health Series - SILICA

Silica:

Why It's So Hazardous to Workers and 

What We're Doing About It

Silica is a hazardous mineral commonly found in materials used on construction sites and in many other workplaces. Working with silica, or in any way disturbing materials containing it, produces crystalline silica particles. Exposure to even small amounts of silica can result in Silicosis, lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. OSHA recently proposed a rule on crystalline silica that is currently undergoing public comment. This forum, featuring two panelists scheduled to testify in the hearing, will focus on the hazard, what OSHA's proposal would do, and steps we need to take to control silica.

Panelists:

James Melius, MD, DrPH

Professor, CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College 

Laborers' Health and Safety Fund of North America

Frank Mirer, Ph.D, CIH

Moderated by:

Mickey Kelly 

Executive Director, NYS Laborers' Health & Safety Trust Fund

Sponsored by: The New York City Central Labor Council and the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH).

James Melius and Frank Mirer, are well renowned experts in this field and will discuss this hazard.