SILICA IN THE WORKPLACE
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365-AXJ-01-iGDO © 2020, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)
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D. AIR MONITORING
The control program, as outlined in the O. Reg. 490/90, must include planned air monitoring of worker
exposure. Results must be posted in a conspicuous place within the plant and provided to the joint health
and safety committee. In addition, records of individual exposure, which include calculated
time-weighted averages, must be retained. These should be representative of actual exposure.
These results provide a profile of actual worker exposure prior to and following establishment of the
control program. The air monitoring strategy should be designed to obtain results from all workers who
are exposed to silica.
E. MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE AND EXAMINATIONS
The Ministry of Labour, Code for Medical Surveillance for Designated Substances sets out the medical
surveillance program requirements for silica and should be referenced for more detailed information.
An employer is required to provide medical surveillance program for silica as listed in subsection
20(4) of O. Reg 490/09. It should be noted that worker participation in this program is not mandatory.
The benefits and limitations of the medical surveillance program should be communicated to the
workers to assist them in making an informed decision on the matter.
A medical surveillance program helps protect the health of workers by:
a) Identifying workers with conditions that may be aggravated by exposure to silica and establishing
baseline measures for determining changes in health
b) Evaluating the effect of silica on workers
c) Enabling corrective action to be taken when necessary
d) Providing health education to the affected worker and
e) Providing direction to the examining physician concerning medical examinations and clinical tests
used in determining whether a worker is fit, fit with limitations or unfit to continue working in
exposure to silica
