Improves Worker Safety

Reduces worker exposure to silica dust by up to 100%. Learn more about the Hazards of Silica Dust.

Specially Formulated

Formulated specifically for the construction industry to reduce worker exposure to crystalline silica dust.

Meets OSHA Standards

Allows employers to opt out of silica exposure assessments when used in certain construction activities.

Saves Time & Resources

Reduces the amount of water needed for effective dust control requiring less tank-fill ups.

Breathe Easier Knowing Your Workers are Protected.

Compliance is Not Enough!

NeSilex reduces the amount of respirable silica dust on construction sites minimizing worker exposure and enhancing workplace safety.

NeSilex is recommeded in any dust-producing activity including:

Milling
Sweeping
Crushing
Mining

Sawing
Jackhammering
Earth-Moving
Grading

Ensure Your Construction Zone is OSHA Compliant.

Visual Representation of Silica Dust PEL reduction as required by the new OSHA Silica Dust Regulations

OSHA Regulations

Effective October 2017, OSHA has revised the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica. The new standard (50 micrograms per cubic meter with an active level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter over an 8-hour work day is 5X lower than previous standards.

OSHA outlines control technologies to reduce employee exposure to silica dust and allows contractors two options to become compliant:

1. Exposure Assessment: Regular required silica dust exposure assessments to ensure silica dust exposure for construction activities is below the regulatory PEL.

2. Implementation of OSHA-Specified Controls: Employers are allowed to opt out of exposure assessments and are exempt from other portions of the “silica dust rule” if specific controls are used during certain construction activities as outlined in Table 1.

Summary of Table 1 - Specified Controls for Exemption of Employee Assessment

It is the responsibility of the employer to understand potential employee exposure to airborne silica and ensure that employees are adequately protected and exposure is below the regulatory level. Implementing the OSHA-Specified controls outlined below allow employers to opt out of regular silica dust exposure testing.

Milling Industry

Half-lane and larger milling machines that possess BOTH ventilation control exhaust AND supplemental water sprays can cut any depth of apshlt pavement without the need for exposure assessment.
Half-lane and larger milling machines that do NOT possess ventilation control are limited to a 4-inch cut and are REQUIRED to possess supplemental water sprays that utilize a surfactant to be exempt from exposure assessment.
Small milling machines must possess supplemental water sprays that utilize a surfactant to be exempt from exposure assessment.

Brooming & Sweeping

OSHA does not identify specific controls to be used during road brooming or sweeping; however, this is an area where regulations are under investigation and will likely be implemented.
It is believed that brooming and sweeping activities may fall under the umbrella of “heavy equipment” and would need to adhere to those specified controls to be exempt.
It is our opinion that if sweeping and brooming activities include a water spray down system with a surfactant, the employer would be exempt from exposure testing.

Earth Moving & Grading

For earth-moving or grading activities that do not fracture or abrade materials, water and/or dust suppressants are necessary to minimize dust emissions and allow for exemption of exposure assessment
For heavy equipment, like hoe-ramming and rock ripping, operators are required to be within an enclosed cap. If employees are outside of the cab and engaged in the task, water and/or dust suppressants are required to reduce exposure and avoid exposure assessment.

Sawing & Jackhammering

For walk-behind milling machines and other sawing, cutting and jackhammering activities, equipment must possess and integrated water delivery system. The use of a surfactant is encouraged to avoid exposure assessment.

Specially Formulated for the Construction Industry

Uniquely Formulated for a Specific Purpose

NeSilex is formulated specifically for the construction industry to reduce worker exposure to crystalline silica dust. It meets OSHA guidelines for a “surfactant” but goes beyond minimal requirements to significantly reduce dust levels and improve worker safety.

More than Just a Surfactant

NeSilex contains specially formulated surfactants, wetting and agglomerating agents causing dust particulates to saturate and attract to each other.

NeSilex is a super-concentrated formula. It is effective in reducing respirable silica dust at a high dilution ratio.

Check Out the Science Behind NeSilex

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