Respirable silica dust exposure amongst foundry workers in Gauteng, South Africa: A task-based risk assessment

Abstract

Silicosis is a problem in South African foundries; the problem has been exacerbated by inadequate dust control and neglect of occupational health in foundry industries. Because of the extent of the problem, the Department of Labour revised its occupational exposure limit of silica dust from 0.4 mg/m³ to 0.1 mg/m³ in 2008; however, cases of diseases associated with crystalline silica dust are still reported to the compensation commissioner every year, with unknown exposure levels. For this reason this study aimed to determine the exposure levels of foundry workers to respirable crystalline silica dust and rank tasks with high exposure.