Dust exposure: How to protect your workers’ lung health

Dust may seem like a minor workplace inconvenience, but it poses a significant risk to worker health. Exposure to harmful dust is one of the leading causes of occupational ill health in the UK, with thousands of workers developing conditions like silicosis, asbestosis, and occupational asthma as a result of dust exposure.

We've put together an overview of the risks associated with dust exposure in the builders merchant sector, along with the steps you need to take to protect your workers.

The most common types of hazardous dust in builders merchants

Working in a builders merchant, employees are likely to encounter several types of hazardous dust, including:

• Wood dust: Generated during sawing, sanding, and other wood-cutting activities, wood dust can cause occupational asthma, allergic rhinitis, and in extreme cases, nasal cancer. It's classified as a carcinogen, meaning it can directly cause cancer.
• Silica dust: Produced when products containing silica, such as concrete, brick, mortar, stone, and sand are cut, drilled, or ground. Silica dust can cause silicosis, a serious and progressive lung disease, as well as lung cancer and kidney disease.
• Cement dust: Generated during the handling or mixing of cement. Cement dust can cause skin conditions like dermatitis as well as respiratory problems.

How to protect workers from dust exposure

There are several steps you can take to protect workers from the risks associated with dust exposure:

• Identify and assess the risks: The first step is to identify the types of dust your workers are exposed to and assess the associated risks. This requires a COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) risk assessment.
• Implement engineering controls: The most effective way to manage dust exposure is through engineering controls that prevent or reduce the generation of dust or remove it from the workplace. This can include installing Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems, using water suppression to dampen down dust, or enclosing dust-generating processes.
• Provide PPE as a last resort: If engineering and other controls do not adequately reduce dust exposure, you should provide workers with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Remember, PPE should always be a last resort and a supplement to other controls, not a substitute for them.
• Provide training and information: Ensure workers are aware of the risks associated with dust exposure and are trained in the use and maintenance of PPE, LEV systems, and any other dust control measures.
• Carry out health surveillance: For workers exposed to certain types of dust, such as wood dust or silica, you may need to carry out health surveillance to monitor their health and identify any early signs of occupational disease.

Need help?

If you're concerned about dust exposure in your workplace, our consultants can help you to review and improve your dust controls. We can provide advice on COSHH risk assessments, LEV testing and inspection, health surveillance, and RPE. Get in touch today to find out more.