HSE begins 2 week blitz on dust control. Over the next 2 weeks the HSE will be carrying out a focused blitz on construction projects of all sizes to confirm what measures have been put in place for the control of dust. They will be looking for evidence of businesses and their workers knowing the risks, planning their work and using the correct controls. If necessary, the HSE will use enforcement to ensure that people are protected.
As we all know, construction dust can come in many forms such as silica and wood and all builders need to ensure that every contractor working for them is doing so safely.
What the HSE have to say
The HSE’s chief inspector of construction Sarah Jardine says: “We are carrying out this series of inspections to ensure businesses are fulfilling their legal duties to protect workers from harm. This includes controlling the levels of dust in workplaces.”
“We want to ensure employers and their workers are aware of the risks associated with any task that produces dust. Such work needs to be properly planned and use the right controls, such as water suppression, extraction and masks.”
“The bottom line is we want everyone, workers and their employers, to be protected from harm and ill health so they can go home healthy to their families.”
HSE chief medical officer David Fishwick adds: “Exposure to asbestos, silica, wood, flour and other dust can have life-changing consequences. Each year work-related lung diseases linked to past exposures are estimated to kill 12,000 workers across Great Britain. In many cases these diseases take a long time to develop after exposure. So the damage done may not be immediately obvious. Others, such as occupational asthma and acute silicosis, can occur more quickly.”
“These conditions can and do have a significant impact on both the individuals affected and those closest to them. So it is imperative that workers take the necessary precautions to protect their lungs.”
We have put together some useful resources for you below. We hop you find them useful. Grab them from the links below, and stay safe.
You can find a Tool Box Talk on the subject here: Construction Dust – Tool Box Talk
A poster to put on site here: Construction Dust Poster
You can also find the HSE’s information sheet on construction dust here: HSE Construction Dust Information sheet
Find out more on The Construction Dust Partnership site.