Industries

Aquaculture and Fishing

The aquaculture and fishing industries play an important role in PEI’s economy, and the WCB is committed to making sure that workers and employers in the industry are safe at work.

Workers in aquaculture and fishing face many hazards in their workplace ranging from rough weather to a risk of drowning. Beyond these industry-specific hazards, workers can face more common hazards such as slips, trips and falls, the risks of working alone, over-exposure to cold, poor ergonomics, and more.

Learn more about marine safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), and hazards associated with the aquaculture and fishing industries including diving and hoisting. 

Check out the PEI Aquaculture Safety Code of PEI Aquaculture Safety Code of Practice.

Construction

The construction industry is crucial to infrastructure development in PEI, and the WCB is committed to making sure that workers and employers in the industry are safe at work.

Workers in construction face many hazards in their workplace, ranging from a risk of falling from heights to working around harmful chemicals, gases and biological agents. Beyond these industry-specific hazards, workers can face more common ones such as slips, trips and falls, working in extreme temperatures, noise, and more.

View our Guide to Workplace Safety for Construction.

Silica Dust

Silica is a common mineral found in soil, sand, and rock. Silica dust is extremely dangerous and may become airborne by cutting, grinding, drilling, or otherwise disturbing these silica-containing materials. It is among the most common workplace hazards Island workers face.

While silica dust is a hazard in many industries, workers in construction are particularly at risk of silica exposure. If you work with materials like cement, bricks, stones, sand, gravel, asphalt, glass, ceramics, engineered stone and granite, you could be exposed to silica dust.

Over time, workers who inhale the dust may be at risk of developing serious illnesses, such as the lung disease silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Silica dust has also been linked to additional sicknesses such as kidney disease, increased risk of getting tuberculosis, and a number of cancers.

Carcinogen Exposure (CAREX) Canada estimates that approximately 429,000 workers in the country are exposed to silica at work.

Silica dust is created by:

• Chipping, sawing, grinding, hammering, drilling of rock, concrete or masonry structures
• Crushing, loading, hauling, dumping 
• Building demolition
• Power cutting or dressing stone
• Abrasive or hydroblasting of concrete
• Dry sweeping or pressurized air blowing
• Tunneling, excavating or earth moving

What does PEI legislation and regulations say about silica? 

Prince Edward Island’s occupational exposure limit for silica, also known as respirable crystalline silica, is 0.025 mg/m. Employers must make sure that worker exposure does not exceed this limit. Employers must also implement and maintain appropriate controls.

How do I know if I am at risk?

You can be exposed to silica if you are working with the following materials: 

• Concrete, concrete blocks, cement, mortar 
• Tiles, brick, masonry 
• Granite, sand, fill dirt, and top soil 
• Asphalt containing rock or stone 
• Abrasives used for blasting

Silica can be especially hazardous when working with engineered stone products.

Reduce the risk: The key to preventing silica related illness is to eliminate the dust from getting into the workplace air. If elimination is not possible, an effective plan to reduce worker exposure to silica should include an assessment of risk, awareness training provided to workers, worker health surveillance, and record keeping.

What precautions should I take?

There are many ways to protect yourself from exposure to silica dust, such as: 

• If possible, replace silica sand in abrasive blasting with crushed glass, garnet, olivine, or other material. If a less hazardous material is not available, use the appropriate respiratory protection. 
• Reduce the need for grinding rough concrete by creating a smoother surface while pouring. 
• Where possible, use a vacuum and/or water spray to reduce dust at the source, before it becomes airborne. 
• When dust cannot be controlled, wear a respirator. 
• Use hand tools equipped with dust control solutions. 
• Ensure proper ventilation before beginning the task. 
• Wear eye protection, protective clothing and other necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Use good hygiene at work: 
  • Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking outside dusty areas. 
  • Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco in dusty areas. 
  • Park your vehicle where it will not be contaminated with silica. 
  • Avoid bringing dust home. Vacuum the dust from your clothes or change into clean clothing before leaving the work site. Do not brush or blow dust off. 

The Silica Control Tool is a free, easy to use, and data driven tool. It provides workplaces with a convenient way to reduce the serious risks of silica dust exposure. 

Learn more about construction industry-related hazards: 

• Occupational Carcinogens (including silica dust.)
• Asbestos 
• Fall Protection
• Ladders
• Noise