Occupational diseases are the leading cause of worker deaths (Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development).
To reduce occupational illnesses caused by silica exposure, WSPS is offering no cost services to Ontario small businesses who grind, polish and cut stone products including artificial stone.
All services provided will assist companies in complying with Ontario Regulation 490/09, Designated Substances and include:
- Air Sampling for Worker Exposure to Silica (up to five samples)
- Designated Substance Assessment for Silica
- Development of a Control Program (if necessary)
- Training for Workers and Employers
Data collected will be shared anonymously with Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) and Ontario Cancer Research Centre (OCRC) to help inform occupational disease research.
Businesses interested in this free offer can contact WSPS Customer Care to discuss eligibility.
About silica
Natural materials like sand, stone, concrete and mortar, as well as artificial stone products contain crystalline silica.
Exposure to silica dust during the grinding, polishing and cutting of these materials can lead to serious health issues and greatly impact a worker’s quality of life. Silica dust can cause irreversible lung damage, leading to lung cancer, silicosis (a permanent scarring and stiffening of the lungs), kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
According to the Occupational Cancer Research Centre, approximately 570 workers develop lung cancer each year in Canada due to occupational silica exposure.
Published: February 7, 2025
