Part Five - How is Frac Sand Used in Oil & Natural Gas Exploration?

Thanks to its crush resistant attributes, silica sand is the preferred material used in hydraulic fracturing to prop open tiny fissures in shale formations that hold vast deposits of oil and natural gas. In fact, silica sand is so popular that a recent US Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook noted that frac sand demand has tripled in three years (from 20 to 60 billion pounds per year). Because the length of horizontal wells (laterals) continues to increase, more silica sand is used in nearly every well. In order to keep up with increased demands of bigger wells, the speed of delivery of frac sand to the well has also surged. Sand delivery trucks are pumping faster and conveyor lines are moving more quickly. As the silica sand moves faster, microscopic particles of respirable silica dust is liberated from the process into the surrounding air at the fracturing site. The silica dust not only exposes workers to potentially dangerous levels, but the dust also settles on workers’ clothes and nearby equipment. This also creates ongoing contamination issues during cleanup & demobilization. This document is Part Five in a series called, “The Comprehensive Guide to Minimizing Respirable Silica Dust Exposure in Hydraulic Fracturing” produced by HalenHardy. Next Up: Part Six –NIOSH Identifies the 7 Main Sources of Respirable Silica Dust in Hydraulic Fracturing © 2013 Donald Beaver – HalenHardy, LLC – All rights reserved. HalenHardy LLC, specializes in protecting workers from airborne dangerous dusts and operates from its headquarters in Bellwood, PA, near the epicenter of Marcellus Shale exploration & production region. Our innovative MASHH Mobile Air Showers by HalenHardy protect workers by removing hazardous dust from their clothing. Respirable dust can only be adequately addressed by a combination of engineering and administrative controls and personal protection equipment including fit-tested respirators and an air shower. While an air shower is essential it will not on its own protect workers against the risks of breathing in respirable dust. HalenHardy is the founding member of the Clean Team Dust Alliance, a group of companies focused on substantially reducing respirable silica dust exposures in the Oil & Gas Exploration & Production industry. For more information, please see our website at www.MASHH.com Contact Donny Beaver at dbeaver@HalenHardy.com or 814-571-9779

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