The Ultimate Silica Dust Control Solution for OSHA Standards
Experience the “Sierra Difference” with a multi-patented silica dust control system that complies with OSHA regulations utilizing a turnkey solution, but also makes the worksite safer and more productive. The focus of Sierra Dust Control’s technology is aimed at areas identified by NIOSH as potential sources of silica exposure:
Sand being discharged into the blender hopper
Discharge chutes from silos onto T-belt(s)
Dust discharging from fill ports on sand movers
Sand being discharged from stingers to T-belt or blender hopper
The discharge chute from the dragon tail
Release from thief hatches from sand movers
Transfer belt under sand movers
Boxes dropping sand onto T-belt(s)
Boxes dropping sand into the blender hopper
Premier Dust Control System Adaptability
Sierra’s Total Dust Control System consists of a dust collector with a manifold system that is adaptable to any type of equipment (i.e. sand kings/movers, silos, combination of sand king/movers with silos, etc.) used by the service company. Installation does not require cutting, welding, altering or heavy lifting equipment in any way. Our dust control technology is a universal solution for any company with frac equipment. Sierra Dust Control provides turnkey services with all equipment and trained personnel necessary to ensure a comprehensive silica dust control solution for any worksite in the lower 48 United States. No matter the equipment’s configuration our modular system will fit. We work with all operations as an extension of ongoing processes with no delays of any kind.
Details About Our System
The fittings and manifold components of the Sierra Dust Control system are all aluminum and made in-house. All containment material and frame pieces are also fabricated and sewn at our corporate facility in Tatum, Texas.
Central to our system are powerful mobile dust collectors capable of evacuating 20,000 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM). While one machine is in operation, the other goes through a cleaning cycle and they are alternated throughout the job. Two machines may be used simultaneously as needed.
Types of Site Setups
- Sand Kings/Movers
- Silo Systems
- All box or container sand delivery systems
- Combination of any of the sand delivery systems together
Patented Technology
The revolutionary system offered by Sierra Dust Control has been granted four U.S. patents, with others pending. These patents cover perpetual configuration options of our system to fit seamlessly with your equipment. Our patented model is used to control all points of equipment-generated silica dust and can be custom designed to fit any type of equipment configuration.
Sierra Dust Control patents are protected and enforced by an exceptional legal team. No person or entity is authorized to use Sierra Dust Control, LLC or make references or claims to any of its proprietary technology in any way without prior expressed written permission.
- U.S. Patent No. 8,881,749 B1
- U.S. Patent No. 9,168,482 B1
- U.S. Patent No. 9,162,261 B1
- U.S. Patent No. 9,630,223 B1
- Other patents pending
Types of Silica Dust Control and What You Need
Silica dust control at hydraulic fracturing sites can be accomplished by the use of engineering controls, administrative controls, or PPE. Beginning June 23, 2021, OSHA will require ALL hydraulic fracturing sites to have engineering controls onsite to meet the established PEL of 50 ug/m3, without regards to respiratory protection, which means respiratory protection may no longer keep your company compliant.
Engineering Controls
A technology utilized outside the control of onsite workers is considered an engineering control. Sierra Dust Control’s system is the most effective engineering control available. No third party assistance is required before, during or after dust control operations. Sierra’s total dust control solution brings airborne respirable silica below the new OSHA PEL. As a part of our service, we employ an in house certified industrial hygienist who can conduct air quality monitoring and custom design a silica plan to become part of your health and safety practices.
Personal Protective Equipment
Respiratory protection has long been the way hydraulic fracturing companies have stayed compliant with past OSHA requirements, but the proper use of respiratory protection is completely dependent on the end user. Employees using respirators must maintain, don/doff, store properly, and clean their respirator, potentially putting employees at a higher risk of silica exposure, increasing your company’s liability should the employee fail to properly execute any of the steps required under OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection Standard. Sierra’s Total Dust Control System not only gets you OSHA compliant with standard requirements mandating the use of engineering controls by June 23, 2021, but may allow you to remove human controls such as respirators from your worksite altogether.
More Benefits for Your Company
Hydraulic fracturing operations near towns or communities can have a negative connotation with nearby residents. Sierra Dust Control helps to keep the air in this environment clean. This improves the public image of companies making these efforts. Implementing Sierra’s Total Dust Control System improves public relations of companies being proactive resulting in a friendly message to surrounding communities.