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Ontario launches Silica Control Tool
November 30, 2023 By Rock to Road Staff
Sample of silica sand. Photo courtesy of AMI Silica TORONTO – The Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) have launched the Silica Control Tool, a platform to educate and protect workers in the construction sector from the risks surrounding silica exposure.
The tool was initially developed by the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance, with the Ontario government allocating $900,000 to bring the platform to their province. The tool is based on research from the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health.
Using compiled data, the Silica Control Tool predicts workers’ expected silica dust exposure, surveys user information to identify exposures that may exceed allowable limits and suggests courses of action to reduce this contact.
Inhalation of crystalline silica dust, which is found across a number of common construction materials such as sand, rock, gravel, concrete, brick and stone, can cause lung disease over time.
The tool was officially launched on Nov. 3 and is available for usage on OHCOW’s website for users with a WSIB account.
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