If you’re in construction, maritime, hydraulic fracturing, or other general industries using silica, the new silica standard and silica dust should matter to you. Chances are, you could be getting exposed to dangerous respirable silica dust that you can’t even see. And, what you can’t see, can hurt you.

What are the big headlines in the respiratory protection world this year? Here are three areas safety and health professionals are watching closely.

Questions about falls, silica, cranes, overlooked training, confined spaces & best practices answered in this article.

A plant manager who was fired after less than two weeks on the job – after reporting safety and health hazards at the facility – will receive $135,000 in back wages and compensatory damages, under a U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) settlement.

ClickSafety, a leading provider of online safety training for the construction and general industries, has launched Spanish language versions of its Respirable Crystalline Silica Awareness in Construction and Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction for the Exposed Worker.

The danger arrives with trucks bearing tons of sand. Off-loading that sand – which may contain up to 99 percent silica – can send clouds of thick dust into the air, exposing the lungs of fracking workers who are performing the task to serious inhalation hazards.

ClickSafety, a leading provider of online safety training for the construction and general industries, today announced its latest offerings, Respirable Crystalline Silica Awareness in Construction and Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction for the Exposed Worker.

Public health experts call the Final Rule Governing Workplace Exposure to Crystalline Silica issued by OSHA last week “a lifesaving public health victory.” Roofers say it will increase fall hazards.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a final rule to improve protections for workers exposed to respirable silica dust. The rule will curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America's workers by limiting their exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Yesterday, The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and CPWR -- The Center for Construction Research and Training released a collection of construction safety materials known as the Safety Toolbox Talks.