Construction Dust Awareness

Construction dust is a major health hazard that causes lung disease, cancer, and chronic breathing problems.
The three main types are silica dust, wood dust, and lower-toxicity dusts such as gypsum andite.
Respirable crystalline silica is found in concrete, sandstone, morite, and brick — cutting these creates dangerous dust.
Around 500 construction workers die each year in the UK from silica-related lung disease and cancer.
COSHH Regulations 2002 require employers to assess dust exposure and provide adequate controls.
The workplace exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica is 0.1 mg/m³ — an extremely low level.
Dust particles small enough to cause lung damage are invisible to the naked eye.
Silicosis is an incurable, progressive lung disease caused by breathing in silica dust over time.
On-tool extraction, water suppression, and RPE are the primary controls for reducing dust exposure.
Health surveillance including lung function testing is required for workers regularly exposed to silica dust.

Prevent lung disease	Silicosis, COPD, and lung cancer from dust exposure are incurable — once the damage is done, it cannot be reversed.
Legal requirement	COSHH 2002 sets strict exposure limits for dust; failure to control exposure leads to HSE enforcement and prosecution.
Invisible danger	The most harmful dust particles are too small to see — you cannot judge your exposure by looking at the air around you.

Do

Don't

Use on-tool dust extraction when cutting, drilling, or grinding concrete, block, or stone.
Apply water suppression to cutting and drilling operations to keep dust levels down.
Wear the correct RPE as specified in the COSHH assessment for the task.
Ensure your RPE has been face-fit tested and fits your face properly.
Use a vacuum with an H-class filter for cleaning up dust — never dry sweep.
Check the dust control measures are working before and during every task.
Attend health surveillance appointments including lung function testing when required.
Report any persistent cough, breathlessness, or chest tightness to your supervisor.
Work outdoors or in well-ventilated areas whenever cutting or grinding operations allow.
Read the COSHH assessment for your task and follow the controls it specifies.

DON'T cut, drill, or grind concrete or stone without dust extraction or water suppression.
DON'T work without the dust controls specified in the COSHH assessment for the task.
DON'T remove or take off your RPE while dust-generating work is in progress nearby.
DON'T use RPE that has not been face-fit tested to your individual face shape.
DON'T sweep dust with a broom — this creates a dust cloud that everyone breathes in.
DON'T ignore broken or blocked dust extraction equipment — report it and stop work.
DON'T skip health surveillance appointments — early detection can prevent permanent damage.
DON'T dismiss a persistent cough as normal — it could be an early sign of lung disease.
DON'T carry out dusty work in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces without extraction.
DON'T assume dust is harmless because you cannot see it — the worst particles are invisible.

See also: Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) | On-Tool Extraction Systems

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