| The HSE will begin their inspection initiative for the construction sector across Great Britain next week (15th May – 14th July). This will be targeting respiratory health risks and looking at how dust is managed and controlled on site. Sadly workers are dying and many more become chronically ill because of construction dust and we all need to do a lot better. This is a matter of life or death, just not immediate. A bit like smoking which wont kill you after a few puffs or a few boxes the long term impact is really very very serious. Construction dust can cause lung disease, it’s a fact. Employers have legal duties to control dust effectively and protect workers on site who could be exposed. The initiative will focus on wood and silica dusts and support the Dust Kills campaign, which raises awareness of health issues and the controls that are available. If you are not confident with how you are managing dust at work please get in touch with Complisafe Health and Safety to take the first key steps in doing the right thing by workers and others who are being exposed on a daily basis. Complisafe encourage all contractors to follow the hierarchy of controls for dust and not just opt for PPE or RPE although this is necessary in a number of scenarios highlighting the need for a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. Avoid Get the designers involved and design out need for dust creating works and chasing out, drilling holes It can include doing the work off site in controlled conditions and producing pre cut and pre drilled materials ready for installation on site. Changing work methods Using machinery Water suppression Local exhaust ventilation On tool extraction Isolating work areas and removing people from the hazardous dust SMALL BUILDERS NO JOB IS WORTH RISKING YOUR LONG-TERM HEALTH AND WELLBEING YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES Self-employed builders, as well as small builders who employ workers, are contractors. A contractor is anyone who directly employs or engages construction workers or manages construction work. The law requires that a contractor must have the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out work safely and without risk to health. Contractors must plan, manage and monitor all work carried out by themselves and their workers, taking into account the risks to anyone who might be affected by it, including members of the public, and the measures needed to protect them. If you have been appointed by the client to be in control of the construction project and there are other contractors working on the job, you will also be a principal contractor. CONSTRUCTION WORKERS DON’T GAMBLE WITH YOUR FUTURE HEALTH AND HAPPINESS BY TAKING RISKS TODAY REDUCING YOUR EXPOSURE TO CONSTRUCTION DUST Some of the most common construction jobs create high dust levels. These jobs often involve the use of power tools like cut-off saws, grinders, breakers and sanders. There is a legal duty for employers to prevent or adequately control worker exposure to construction dust. Ideally, your employer will eliminate your risk of exposure to dust by good design and planning. Where this is not entirely possible, measures should be put in place by your employer to control dust and you should wear an appropriate mask. USE ON-TOOL EXTRACTION WHEN USING POWER TOOLS On-tool extraction is an effective control for dust and will reduce your risk of ill health. On-tool extraction is a type of local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system which is fitted directly onto the tool.  PROTECT YOUR HEALTH WHEN USING OF CUT-OFF SAWS Common construction materials contain stone, rock, sand and clays which may contain large amounts of crystalline silica. Cutting kerbs, flags, bricks, tiles and concrete produces silica particles in the airborne dust which are too small to be seen. Exposure to this type of dust can cause serious health problems and may eventually kill you. Managing the risk: Damp down the dust – water suppression is your first line of defence Wear a suitable mask You can also improve awareness through brief on line training courses that engage and inform individuals of duties and responsibilities, hazards and controls. Contact us for free trial 0333 577 2700 or info@complisafe.co.uk https://complisafe.co.uk/service/online-training/ Free Resources Construction Dust – Work Right to keep Britain safe Construction Dust Information Sheet (CIS 36) (.pdf) Construction Dust Busy Builder Sheet (CIS 78) (.pdf) |
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