Silica Dust

Hi all,

I’m wondering if there’s anyone out there who works in the trades-especially concrete(bearcat??)—who can help me out here.

I just started working at a concrete/construction supply company in their warehouse/dock/yard, and every day when I come home my lymph nodes are really swollen and painful and I’m coughing non-stop, mostly productive. Burning in my chest/neck/nose. All around feeling sh*tty.

It’s odd because I have worked in hot, tight quarters with welding(steel, aluminum, galvanized) fumes for 12-13 hours many a time with no mask and not much ventilation(dumb, I know), as well as a few different very dirty warehouses, and this is by far the worst I’ve experienced. I figure it has to be silica that’s doing it.

I’ve tried wearing a surgical mask which made no difference. Am experimenting with an n-95 type mask now to see if it gets any better.

Can anybody recommend any specific models of mask/respirator, or just any other all around pointers? This is really bothering me physically and mentally and I would appreciate ANY help. Thank you!!

What is the company company protocol? any training or safety classes?
They can get into quite a bit of trouble if you’re not protected.

Everyone has different sensitivities, I would think your good ol n95s should cut it for you.

Do yourself a favor and get the 8511s, much more comfortable all day. Lucky you they just started being more in stock at all your big box stores.

Your employer should be providing training, proper PPE, and fit-testing. You should be fit-tested yearly to wear even an N95 at work. Do you have facial hair? A beard will drastically reduce the effectiveness of any respirator.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Your employer should be providing training, proper PPE, and fit-testing. You should be fit-tested yearly to wear even an N95 at work. Do you have facial hair? A beard will drastically reduce the effectiveness of any respirator.

if you have a beard or facial hair that interferes with protective breathing masks you WILL be required to cut it off.

Laddaddy, why would you leave the welding field??? I absolutely loved it.

I’ve been grinding concrete and terrazzo for over 20 years. In the last few years silica has become way more of a focus. Crystalline silica to be more specific. Every year I have to do a fit test for a P100 respirator and every 3 years a physical and pulmonary test. I have had swollen nodes like you’re talking about but haven’t in a while, maybe the proper respirator and no more facial hair is working. If your shop has that much dust to effect you like that, they should absolutely be suppling PPE and training. Especially if you have any engineered stone in there, almost all crystalline silica in that stuff. If the company is not, I would report them to OSHA and look for a new job. Silicosis is the number one killer in the trades and should be taken seriously.

glenn57 wrote:

if you have a beard or facial hair that interferes with protective breathing masks you WILL be required to cut it off.

True, but it doesn’t even sound like he’s being provided with training and PPE.

It’s a huge OSHA violation if there not, and I’d be very concerned for my health.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>glenn57 wrote:</div>
if you have a beard or facial hair that interferes with protective breathing masks you WILL be required to cut it off.

True, but it doesn’t even sound like he’s being provided with training and PPE.

It’s a huge OSHA violation if there not, and I’d be very concerned for my health.

to0tally agree!!!!!!!!!!!!! bi big OSHA no-no’s!!!!!!!!

I would be going to the Dr instead of asking people on here speculating

I 2nd Coletrain. Get to a doctor.

Brittman wrote:

I 2nd Coletrain. Get to a doctor.

I also agree, but there is also a grave concern about his safety at his place off employment.

glenn57 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Brittman wrote:</div>
I 2nd Coletrain. Get to a doctor.

I also agree, but there is also a grave concern about his safety at his place off employment.

Yes, but it could be something that effects his body only and nobody else’s and isn’t life threatening. It could be something as easy allergies to something

Thank you all for your responses. Seriously. I don’t have insurance yet so doc is out unless I wanna die financially. I think u guys are right about having the right PPE. Typical stupid training videos but nothing going over that.

Thing is, there is no concrete cutting/sanding or anything of that nature going on in this warehouse. It’s just a few bags breaking open occasionally, mixed with the usual cardboard and wood dust from lumber, etc. And we cut sonotube(column form) in there. I dont know much about any of this stuff honestly. Don’t know what that tube is made of besides some kind of paperboard.

Fact is, something is realllllly messing me up and it’s obviously directly related because all the symptoms started as soon as I started working in there. Guess it could be allergies to something, like coletrain mentioned. I won’t rule anything out. Thanks Glen, you’re right it’s an immmediate issue that I need to at least keep at bay for now. I want to try some ways to fight/prevent it for now so some direct, immediate pointers are nice. Thanks nhamm for your suggestion. And thanks EVERYONE else who’s posted- it means a lot. Might save my ass.

I don’t want to name the company right now publicly but I think they are pretty big in this field. Great benefits, management, pay, time off, and coworkers so it seems. Btw, my lymph nodes are still swollen 8.5 hrs after my shift. Also super dehydrated. I’m not a drama queen and not a pansy complainer either. Something is f’ing me up and I know it’s not good for me. Thanks again

Thank you Peter for your reply.

EPG- they have had a lot of training/PPE/“cover our *ss” videos and do provide a mask similar to an N95(I think), but I went to my manager yesterday afternoon and finally told him my concerns, and his reply was, “hmm, that’s weird cuz (other warehouse guy’s name) hasnt ever mentioned it in 3 years…” so it might just be I’m allergic to something. Then again, it’s bags of quickrete and grout in a good portion of this warehouse, and that’s the ONLY difference compared to other places of work in my past. So good chance that’s it I would think. I don’t know guys, just concerned here and pretty bummed out cuz this job seems so worth it otherwise and I’m learning a few new things/equipment and busting my ass and trying to make up some serious financial ground all at the same time. Conflicted.

For the record the guy who’s been there 3 years only wears a BS cloth mask, so maybe it is an allergic reaction. But I have hammer drilled and occasionally cut stone/concrete with a circular saw, as well as grouting and core drilling in the past with no mask and zero reaction. For what it’s worth

Ralph- no I don’t have a beard. Then again, I only switched to the more serious mask after trying a few days with a regular surgical mask. I do know this thing is pretty hard to breathe through when you’re exerting yourself a lot. Do masks with filters/outlets or half face respirators with filters make air flow better? Might be a dumb question but idk. I’ll post later today what the mask make/model # is. Can’t remember off the top

Dear 8511s

This thread came to mind before I initially posted.

Also pardon my grammar, I really don’t care at this point just want to get the words out. I need to get to bed

Edit: WHATEVER. Thread was called “dear 8511s”

LabDaddy1 wrote:

Ralph- no I don’t have a beard. Then again, I only switched to the more serious mask after trying a few days with a regular surgical mask. I do know this thing is pretty hard to breathe through when you’re exerting yourself a lot. Do masks with filters/outlets or half face respirators with filters make air flow better? Might be a dumb question but idk. I’ll post later today what the mask make/model # is. Can’t remember off the top

You need a n95 bud, surgical masks block nothing. N95 blocks and filters. I deal with silica on the daily being a concrete cutter. It is very serious stuff.
But stupid Osha right now 2ould rather see surgical masks due to covid because n95s allow your breath the escape. I have a beard and I try to wear a n95 daily but I can admit I’m lazy on it as well. Silica causes silicosis and can be very serious. I have to get my lungs tested for silica yearly. Ask the employer about n95 s, but sadly most don’t want them worn right now, they would rather see a surgical mask doing nothing.
N95s, half masks and full masks do not make air flow better. They are all respirators, and require a fit test. The employer should be doing that for you.
I think it’s time for you to come join the union and make some good money and get some of the best benefit packages available, ( just don’t become a wood tick, there package is awful right now). Laborers have a awesome benefit package. I haven’t had to worry about insurance for 15 years for me or the kids

Surgical masks are designed to keep your germs from getting out (i.e. so the doctor doing surgery doesn’t contaminate the patient).

Respirators (i.e. N95s, half or full-face respirators) are designed to filter what you breathe in, which is what you want. To wear one, you need a fit test to make sure you’re getting a proper seal. It’s easy and involves having a very bitter (or in some cases sweet), compound puffed in your face while you do a series of activities to simulate work. You’ll know really quickly if its working.

N95 is just a rating for the disposable-type masks. They make different models–depending upon you, some will work better/be more comfortable. An 8511 is a model of 3M N95.

You need to see a doc, and you need respiratory protection. Your first step was talking to your manager–now it’s documented. They should be sending you to the doctor. You should not be responsible for the cost.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

Surgical masks are designed to keep your germs from getting out (i.e. so the doctor doing surgery doesn’t contaminate the patient).

Respirators (i.e. N95s, half or full-face respirators) are designed to filter what you breathe in, which is what you want. To wear one, you need a fit test to make sure you’re getting a proper seal. It’s easy and involves having a very bitter (or in some cases sweet), compound puffed in your face while you do a series of activities to simulate work. You’ll know really quickly if its working.

N95 is just a rating for the disposable-type masks. They make different models–depending upon you, some will work better/be more comfortable. An 8511 is a model of 3M N95.

You need to see a doc, and you need respiratory protection. Your first step was talking to your manager–now it’s documented. They should be sending you to the doctor. You should not be responsible for the cost.

Yes. My point was now that covid is a thing. They want to see surgical masks not 8511s with is a crock for trades guys. Being the filter is what’s needed. But being is the job he has I have a feeling they will just grab the next guy if he complains to much.
If you are around silica a lot then silicosis tests are needed. But just because it’s dusty doesn’t mean it’s silica. Most cmu and brick, motor and all that have no silica in them. So there will and can be arguments from the company

LabDaddy1 wrote:

Thank you all for your responses. Seriously. I don’t have insurance yet so doc is out unless I wanna die financially. I think u guys are right about having the right PPE. Typical stupid training videos but nothing going over that.

Thing is, there is no concrete cutting/sanding or anything of that nature going on in this warehouse. It’s just a few bags breaking open occasionally, mixed with the usual cardboard and wood dust from lumber, etc. And we cut sonotube(column form) in there. I dont know much about any of this stuff honestly. Don’t know what that tube is made of besides some kind of paperboard.

Fact is, something is realllllly messing me up and it’s obviously directly related because all the symptoms started as soon as I started working in there. Guess it could be allergies to something, like coletrain mentioned. I won’t rule anything out. Thanks Glen, you’re right it’s an immmediate issue that I need to at least keep at bay for now. I want to try some ways to fight/prevent it for now so some direct, immediate pointers are nice. Thanks nhamm for your suggestion. And thanks EVERYONE else who’s posted- it means a lot. Might save my ass.

I don’t want to name the company right now publicly but I think they are pretty big in this field. Great benefits, management, pay, time off, and coworkers so it seems. Btw, my lymph nodes are still swollen 8.5 hrs after my shift. Also super dehydrated. I’m not a drama queen and not a pansy complainer either. Something is f’ing me up and I know it’s not good for me. Thanks again

If you are putting in this kind of work for a big company and don’t have medical insurance day 1, I’d walk. It’s a worker’s market and the labor shortage will work significantly in your favor.

Be careful bringing N95’s into large corporations. If the package says “respirator” on it you need to be certified per OSHA. I almost got fired for wearing one (pre covid) because I didn’t have the proper training to wear one, even though a monkey (shaven of course) could properly wear one. And the kicker, the safety guy handed me a box of surgical masks and said “these will work”. I literally cut and drilled concrete frequently, ground paint and rust off steel to weld, climbed into industrial vacuums, fixed sandblasters, etc., the normal things maintenance techs do.

Told them to get me the training then. “Oh, we’ll look into it”. 6 months later I left and never saw any training.

And no, those surgical masks didn’t do chit! I had an N95 the I hid and used when needed and made sure no safety idiots were around.

I really do feel for you guys that are put into these situations. Your employers should be taking care of you, both from a moral and legal standpoint.

LabDaddy1 wrote:

I don’t have insurance yet so doc is out unless I wanna die financially.

Get to a doctor. By the time your insurance kicks in a lot of irreparable damage could have occurred.

I’m in the trades, have been awhile. You’ll find certain things just set ya off. Yours is obviously something to do w the dust, wear a mask and be done w it. Those 8511s do a great job on trapping particles.

Allergies are bad and covid is going around. Go to Walgreens and grab an at home covid test for like $30, and some 8511s at home Depot for around the same. Most likely done deal.

Idk maybe I’ve been desensitized over the years but JC some here act like you’re dying. You’re having a reaction to a new substance, filter it out and move on.

Yes, please see a doctor as soon as you can. Swollen lymph nodes are nothing to mess around with as they are indicators of a lot of different things that could be going on. If you work for a company that isn’t offering insurance, that is garbage. You can get on some discounted insurance on the exchange that goes into effect quickly and they cannot drop you. Even if you just go that route until you figure this out, it would be money well spent. That being said if you use an N95 for a few days and things go away, you are probably fine. Have you been having issues on the weekends when you were not working?

I would be looking for a new job, not worth it. In todays market it should not be to hard to get a different job, every one and there mother is hiring right now.

Flooring guys are starting at $20hr, get ya to $25 by end of year if u take training well.

I have great PPE and Bluetooth headphones!

Deuces wrote:

Flooring guys are starting at $20hr, get ya to $25 by end of year if u take training well.

I have great PPE and Bluetooth headphones!

Health care?

If he has any interest in trades the laborers are hiring. 30 something to start full benefits. Package is 75 or so a hour. Or specialize like I have and go quite a bit north of that

Different strokes for different folks.

Personally I’d rather make more in the long run and decide what’s best to spend my money on rather than a union.

Deuces wrote:

Different strokes for different folks.

Personally I’d rather make more in the long run and decide what’s best to spend my money on rather than a union.

Oh no, I was asking if that’s 20 with full benys ? Then was telling him about the laborers pay to start. With a upto 12 dollar raise in 4 years. Not sure you can make more in the long run comparing numbers unless you were the boss. Union dues are once a year and a measly 500 bucks.
I went union for pay. Not because I’m a union guy. I think all the union does is protect the weak and collect my 500 bucks. But I make more then non union and have better benys plus a Great pension.