[saxman001]

Wearing PPE is miserable. The respiratory masks that reliably keep silica out of your lungs are painful. My job involves working with silica powders and I can really only handle about 20-30 minutes decked out in my bunny suit, respirator, over eye goggles, gloves and disposable sleeves before I need to take a break for air. This is in a climate controlled environment with a minimally physical set of tasks.

Having workers wear PPE is the worst, last resort form of protection. Solutions like switching to safer materials and improving ventilation work much better in practice.

[jdietrich]

PPE is the last resort when other mitigation measures are inadequate, but positive-pressure respirators (either powered air-purifying or supplied-air) are really very comfortable. No face seal is required and you've got a constant flow of cool air. Spray painters, asbestos workers, media blasters and many welders will wear one for the majority of their working hours.

Engineered stone is undoubtedly more hazardous than natural stone, but (as the researchers quoted in this article suggest) there is no safe level of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The problem of silicosis long pre-dates the advent of engineered stone and will remain even if the product is banned. If I were working with stone - engineered or natural - I'd want a respirator unless I was absolutely confident in the mitigation measures in place.

[fmajid]

Didn't coal miners also use to get silicosis?

[insaneirish]

> Wearing PPE is miserable. The respiratory masks that reliably keep silica out of your lungs are painful.

I completely disagree. Is it less comfortable than not wearing a mask? For sure. Do I consider it a burden to wear a P100 respirator when dealing with silica? Nope.

[saxman0001]

How many hours a day do you typically spend wearing your respirator?

Have you had a professional fit test to see whether your respirator is making an adequate seal? Many folks wear these things far too loosely to pass a basic fitment test.

How many hours a day do you spend moving objects that weight >20lbs while wearing your respirator?

How often do you work on days >30C while decked out in your respirator?

Do you keep your face shaved baby smooth at all times?

[blindriver]

It sounds like what you're saying is that we should ban your job to keep you from harming yourself, and you just find a new profession.

[amluto]

Is a pouch/duckbill style N95 mask adequate for your work? I find them much more comfortable.

Or a PAPR if your job is willing to pay for one.

[j-bos]

My dude, wearing PPE sucks. I've been there, in a hot, humid, subtropical, sunny climate, full respirator, mask and overalls. Endless in and out to hydrate and get frsh air.

But the fact is, sufficient dust, of any material is dangerous. I have a friend who was hospitalized with a literal hole in his lung. Partially collapsed lung. He's under 35.

Hard work is hard, it's often uncomfortable, let's not pretend magic bullets are here. If anything they are, PPE is miraculous in what it protects against.