FOCUS ON SAFETY
BATTLING A HIDDEN KILLER
Above : Wearing a protective respirator with dust and gas filters ( image : Shutterstock . com ).
In an industry where dust is an unavoidable byproduct , the health and safety of sheet metal workers can be at significant risk . Phil Haskins at Dustcontrol UK outlines the dangers of dust in the workplace and how to effectively combat them .
“ Even just small changes in the work environment can help to create a happier and healthier workforce .”
Phil Haskins .
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Phil Haskins is an industry specialist at Dustcontrol UK , where he has educated businesses on dust control management for over 17 years . He specialises in construction sales for the north of the UK and London , working closely with businesses from various sectors on how to promote healthier and safer work practices through innovative equipment .
By
Phil Haskins ,
Engineering Industry Specialist , Dustcontrol UK
Imagine a world , 30 years from now , where today ’ s workers have not been adequately protected from the prevalent dust in their work environments . The prognosis is alarming . Long-term exposure to dust can lead to chronic respiratory diseases , cardiovascular problems and even cancer . Workers might suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ), asthma or silicosis , a severe lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust . The quality of life for these individuals would be severely diminished , and the burden on the healthcare system would be immense .
Construction dust is a general term used to describe what may be found on a construction site , encompassing three main types : asbestos dust , silica dust and wood dust . Asbestos dust , found in home insulation and other building materials produced before 1990 , still kills around 5,000 workers each year . Silica dust , a natural mineral present in stone , sandstone and granite ( also known as Respirable Crystalline Silica or RCS ) is particularly hazardous . Wood dust , generated from sanding and cutting , includes particles from hard and softwoods as well as MDF , which are known to cause nasal cancer .
According to the UK ’ s Health and Safety Executive ( HSE ), there are approximately 500 silica dust-related deaths every year , making it crucial to limit its spread . It is estimated that 10-20 % of all lung cancer cases may have a background in the working environment , with 7,000 people in the EU diagnosed with lung cancer each year due to quartz dust exposure .
The British Occupational Hygiene Society ( BOHS ) is calling for immediate action to help prevent further cases of silicosis , now being reported in the UK for the first time .
44 | ismr . net | ISMR July / August 2024