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Timeline of General Silica Dust Awareness and Regulations

Early Knowledge:

• Centuries/Millennia: Evidence of occupational silicosis exists in ancient Egypt and Greece, impacting stonecutters, builders, and masons.
• 1556: Agricola identifies a lung disease affecting stonecutters and miners in his treatise on mining.
• 1700: Dr. Bernardino Ramazzini, the "father of occupational medicine," identifies silicosis in autopsies of stone workers.
• Early 1900s: Dr. Alice Hamilton documents silica-related illnesses in granite workers.

Growing Recognition:

• 1917: U.S. Public Health Service highlights silicosis prevalence in foundry workers.
• 1918: U.S. government report identifies the abrasive industry as having the greatest silica dust hazard.
• Early 1930s: Industrial journals discuss hazards of silica, especially in sandblasting.

Industry Awareness and Action:

• Mid-1930s: Industry acknowledges silicosis as an occupational disease caused by inhaling silica dust.
• 1937: The U.S. Department of Labor hosts a National Silicosis Conference, identifying high-risk occupations.
• 1938: Secretary of Labor Francis Perkins initiates "Stop Silicosis" campaign and advocates for dust control methods.

Continued Exposure and Efforts:

• Post-1938: Silica exposure remains a concern in construction with new tools and practices creating new exposure risks.
• 1950s: Dust hazards in various industries are well-known.
• 1968-2002: Silicosis contributes to 74 million U.S. deaths, mainly male, but mortality rate drops significantly.

Renewed Focus and Regulations:

• 1996: Secretary of Labor launches "It's Not Just Dust" campaign and establishes a Silicosis SEP.
• 2007: OSHA estimates over 2 million workers exposed to silica across various industries.
• 2011: OSHA's proposed silica guidelines reach OMB for review.
• 2013: Congress urges OMB to expedite rulemaking on respirable crystalline silica.
• 2016: OSHA finalizes regulations to protect workers from silica dust exposure.

Phased Implementation:

• 2017: Silica regulations become effective for the construction industry.
• 2018: Regulations extend to maritime industries.
• 2021: Regulations apply to the oil and gas industry regarding hydraulic fracturing silica exposure.
• 2023: In response to artificial stone fabrication worker pandemic, Austraila bans artificial stone, and OSHA and CAL-OSHA strengthen worker protections.

Conclusion:

While the dangers of silica dust have been known for centuries and recognized within the American stone industry for decades, widespread regulations protecting workers only emerged in recent years.