Geothermal Energy - Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy - page 280

Silica Exposure *
Silica sand is a basic component of soil, sand, and granite and can be found in
many concrete and masonry products. Silica can become airborne when workers
chip out, drill, or grind objects that contain crystalline silica, and the workers may
be exposed to many forms of silica dust. Operations such as excavating or install-
ing concrete for pump wells can expose workers to silica. Silicosis is the perma-
nent damage to the lungs caused by breathing the fine particles of crystalline silica
dust. Silicosis can be debilitating and can lead in death. Workers in the geother-
mal energy industry may be exposed to crystalline silica. OSHA has established
a permissible exposure limit (PEL), which is the maximum amount of crystalline
silica to which workers may be exposed during an 8-hour shift (29 CFR 1926.55,
29 CFR 1910.1000). OSHA also requires hazard communication awareness and
training for workers exposed to crystalline silica (29 CFR 1910.1200) and requires
utilization of a respirator program until engineering controls are implemented.
Additionally, OSHA has a National Emphasis Program (NEP) for crystalline silica
exposure to identify, reduce, and eliminate health hazards associated with occu-
pational exposures.
Personal Protective Equipment †
Using personal protective equipment (PPE) is often essential, but it is generally the
last line of defense after engineering controls, work practices, and administrative
controls. Geothermal energy employers must assess their workplace to determine if
hazards are present that require the use of protective equipment. Geothermal energy
workers can be exposed to many hazards that may require the use of safety glasses,
hard hats, gloves, respirators, or other personal protective equipment designed to
protect against injuries and illnesses.
Electrical Safety ‡
Geothermal projects can expose workers to a range of electrical hazards. Systems
may require the installation, operation, and maintenance of large electrical pumps
to move water through miles of underground piping. Ground is essential for this
type of operation. If this energy is used to heat or cool a building, then the com-
ponents of the heating and cooling system could also expose workers to electrical
hazards. Geothermal systems that generate electrical power may be covered by elec-
tric power generation, transmission, and distribution standards and, therefore, may
be required to implement the safe work practices and worker training requirements
of OSHA's Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution standard (29
CFR 1910.269). Typically, geothermal systems that generate electrical power are
covered by OSHA Subpart S standards in Part 1910, if they are not connected to
* Adapted from OSHA's Green Job Hazards: Geo-Thermal Energy—Silica , https://www.osha.gov/dep/
greenjobs/geo_silica.html.
† Adapted from OSHA's Green Job Hazards: Geo-Thermal Energy—Personal Protective Equipment ,
https://www.osha.gov/dep/greenjobs/geo_ppe.html.
‡ Adapted from OSHA's Green Job Hazards: Geo-Thermal Energy—Electrical , https://www.osha.gov/
dep/greenjobs/geo_electrical.html.