DARTMOUTH, N.S. – A new province‑wide awareness campaign by Construction Safety Nova Scotia (CSNS) is looking to help workers and employers better understand the dangers of crystalline silica and take action to prevent exposure on the job.
Crystalline silica is found in materials like concrete, stone, brick, sand and tile. Cutting, drilling, crushing or grinding these materials releases fine dust that’s often too small to see.
Breathing this dust can cause severe, irreversible lung disease, including silicosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a release from CSNS reads. More than 10,000 workers in Nova Scotia are potentially exposed to silica dust each year, primarily in construction and skilled trades.
The campaign, called Lungsquatters, “personifies respirable crystalline silica as ‘squatters’ that move into a worker’s lungs and never leave — making an invisible hazard visible in a memorable, relatable way.”
The website, lungsquatters.ca, is designed to support both employers and workers, offering guidance for recognizing silica hazards, using dust control methods and understanding workplace rights and responsibilities.
For employers, the site offers:
- step‑by‑step guidance to identify potential sources of silica on jobsites and implement effective control measures;
- downloadable templates, toolbox talks and posters;
- information on selecting and using proper personal protective equipment (PPE); and
- resources tailored to Nova Scotia’s laws and regulatory requirements.
For workers, the site provides:
- practical information on how to protect themselves and others from silica dust;
- a PPE checklist;
- guidance on their right to refuse unsafe work; and
- a quiz to help reinforce silica safety knowledge.
“Silica is one of the most common — and least visible — hazards on construction sites,” said MJ MacDonald, CEO of CSNS, in a statement. “The harm it causes is permanent, but the good news is that silica‑related illnesses are entirely preventable. This campaign gives workers and employers clear, practical tools to reduce exposure and protect themselves.”
This campaign is funded in part through the Province of Nova Scotia’s Occupational Health and Safety Education Trust Fund.
