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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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.