Among the forms of crystalline silica (silicon dioxide minerals) that are most common in the natural and work environments are quartz and cristobalite. They are used in various industries, including in the ceramics, glass and construction industries and pose a serious health risk to workers. The respirable of crystalline silica (RCS), which penetrates into the gas exchange area of the lungs causes chronic inflammatory reactions, followed by fibrotic changes in the lung tissue and, as a result, silicosis pneumoconiosis, often leading to lung cancer.

Both employers and health and safety managers have great difficulties with the interpretation and application of legal provisions concerning the measurement of RCS concentrations (for the purpose of occupational exposure assessment) and the classification of work involving exposure to respirable dust generated during technological processes. The information in this article should help you resolve these issues.

DOI: 10.54215/BP.2022.01.12.Posniak

Measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of occupational health and safety management processes is a current problem, especially in the dynamically changing environment of the organization – both immediate and further. The lack of a terminological regime makes it difficult to understand the different approaches to measuring these processes. The article attempts to organize the terminology in this area and presents two different tools for assessing OSH management processes, which can be successfully used in practice, depending on the purpose and needs of the enterprise.

DOI: 10.54215/BP.2022.01.13.Pecillo