A new web-based tool aims to help assess the degree to which construction workers are exposed to hazardous silica dust and suggest task-specific exposure control plans.

“The Silica Control Tool will help empower employers and workers from workplaces and operations of all sizes to understand the hazards and prevention strategies related to working with silica,” explained Dr. Joel Moody, Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) and Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development in a press release announcing the availability of the new prevention tool. “I want to recognize and thank OHCOW for their leadership to make this project happen.”

Originally developed in 2017 by the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) and University of British Columbia researchers, the Silica Control Tool has been customized by Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) to meet the needs of construction workers and their employers here in Ontario. It is designed for use on mobile devices and computers.

The tool generates silica dust exposure estimates based on information the user provides including materials, tools and specific tasks that is then compared to an existing database.  The tool also generates a corresponding exposure control plan considering measures beginning at the top of the hierarchy of controls. This point is important considering Canadian research funded by the Ontario government found personal protective equipment (PPE) listed at the bottom of the controls hierarchy is not the most cost-effective method of protecting workers from silica exposures.

Given the tool is data-driven, the information provided by new users is also added to the database, keeping it current with activities and practices in the construction industry.

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