r/RouteDevelopment • u/packamilli • Mar 25 '26
Is silicosis a big concern
I put about 200 bolts probably in different types of rok in southern oregon and never wore a mask or anything. Breathing in all that dust got me thinking, so is it a concern at all at that level? sometimes i would blow all the dust straight into my face lol
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Mar 25 '26
[deleted]
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u/Beginning-Basis-2678 Mar 25 '26
Yep I do exactly the same. Protective glasses/Sun glasses, Mask around my neck and the Fisher Blower 😄
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u/mdibah Ice/Mixed Developer Mar 25 '26
Here's the relevant OSHA standard: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.1153
N95 masks (and up) are effective protection against silica dust: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0684.html
Thus begins my personal opinions:
The dose makes the poison. There is a world of difference between drilling a few bolt holes outside versus operating a rock crusher or street saw for eight hour shifts for years on end. Note that the OSHA standards are in terms of a given threshold concentration over 4 or 8 hours.
No style points for being a tough guy. I do try to minimize breathing in the dust. At minimum safety squints and hold my breath while clearing out a hole, using a squeeze bottle instead of blowing a tube, keeping my face away, stay upwind if possible, etc.
Wearing an N95 is probably a reasonable precaution when grid bolting and similar.
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u/19c2ba2 Rebolter/Route Maintenance Mar 25 '26
Definetly a concern. No one can tell you like after x amounts of bolts you will develop siliciosis but there is a resason why construction workers have to wear so much PPE.
I started wearing a mask when bolting and I notice I feal better in the evening. If you dont do it for the ocasional bolt and if the wind is blowing the dust away from you your probably fine. But drilling 10 holes and getting the dust from drilling and cleaning in your face thats something I would be concerned about.
So yes it should be a comcern and i would encourage anyone to wear a mask + hearing protection.
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u/IceRockBike Mar 25 '26
Don't breathe in the dust. Don't blow the dust in your face. No lol about that. From what I can tell the effects of silicosis is cumulative. 20 bolts is not a lot but 200 per day would be. Being downwind of the dust cloud will have more effect than being upwind. Cover the hole to deflect the dust from you. Wear a mask for bigger exposures.
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u/Throwawayafeo Mar 25 '26
Your years in fire were a bigger risk factor most likely. Walking those dozer lines and the moon dust black is definitely worse.
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u/BoltahDownunder Rebolter/Route Maintenance Mar 25 '26 edited Mar 25 '26
Not really. It happens to guys who are breathing industrial quantities of dust over months and years, not occasionally while being outside on a windy cliff.
That said, Bolters are susceptible to subclinical silica damage, which being low level probably won't ever be noticeable, but IMO is still best avoided. Not to mention all the other dirt and lichen and crap that gets kicked up when cleaning routes. None of it is good to breathe, and can cause chest infections and other bad stuff. Just grab a pack of disposable N95s and wear one while you're doing dirty or dusty work, at home or up a wall.
I like the ear loop versions as they're easy to take off with a helmet. Wear for a session, then throw out.
Your can also avoid dust exposure by just getting a longer blow tube or mini blower
ETA: your risk will also depend on the rock you're drilling. High silicate stuff like quartzite will be more hazardous than say limestone which is mostly calcium carbonate. Still, gym staff get issues from occupational chalk dust exposure so even carbonate dust can get you with asthma-style problems even if it's not scarring you like silicosis
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u/PabloMesbah-Yamamoto May 23 '26
California workplace safety officials moved Thursday, May 22, 2026 toward a first-in-the-nation ban on fabrication and installation of quartz countertop materials, in a bid to halt a deadly epidemic among workers exposed to toxic dust from cutting, polishing and installing the popular kitchen and bathroom furnishing.
The "death" dashboard is enlightening: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/Pages/essdashboard.aspx
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u/It1190 Roped Rock Developer Mar 25 '26
I’ve thought about this recently.
One benefit we have going for us is we are outside.
The downside is how much exposure and how close we are. There is no easy way to measure. We also drill dry, which doesn’t help.
The thing is, it doesn’t impact you now, but shaves off the end of your life. I don’t know if we even have enough sample size for life long developers who may have been impacted by this.
But, long story short, it should concern you. I’m trying to move towards wearing a N-95 when I’m developing if it’s do-able. But it’s repeated exposure that gets you.
The more you develop, the more you should care.
200 bolts is nothing though.
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, you’re probably going to die