Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)

Respirable crystalline silica is a fine dust released when cutting, drilling, grinding, or demolishing concrete, stone, and brick.
RCS particles are so small they penetrate deep into the lungs where the body cannot remove them, causing permanent scarring.
Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by RCS exposure — it progressively destroys lung tissue and reduces breathing capacity.
RCS exposure also causes lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in construction workers.
The UK workplace exposure limit for RCS is 0.1 mg/m³ — this is exceeded quickly without proper dust controls in place.
Around 500 construction workers die each year from RCS-related diseases including silicosis and lung cancer.
High-risk tasks include cutting concrete blocks, drilling concrete, angle grinding stone, and road planing operations.
On-tool water suppression reduces RCS exposure by up to 90% and should be the primary control for cutting operations.
On-tool dust extraction with an H-class vacuum captures RCS at source before it becomes airborne.
RPE is the last resort — it must be face-fit tested and worn correctly when engineering controls are not sufficient.

Incurable disease	Silicosis cannot be treated or reversed — once lung tissue is scarred by silica dust, the damage is permanent and progressive.
Cancer risk	RCS is classified as a human carcinogen — regular uncontrolled exposure significantly increases your risk of developing lung cancer.
Invisible at harmful levels	The most dangerous RCS particles are too small to see — dust that is invisible is the dust that kills you.

Do

Don't

Use on-tool water suppression when cutting, drilling, or grinding concrete or stone.
Fit on-tool dust extraction with an H-class vacuum for dry cutting operations.
Wear RPE that has been face-fit tested to your face when required by the COSHH assessment.
Use a vacuum with an H-class filter for clean-up — never dry sweep silica dust.
Attend health surveillance including lung function testing as required for your exposure.
Read the COSHH assessment for your task and follow all specified dust controls.
Work outdoors or ensure good ventilation when carrying out dust-generating activities.
Check that water suppression and extraction systems are working before starting the task.
Report any persistent cough, breathlessness, or chest tightness to your supervisor.
Change filters on extraction equipment at the intervals specified by the manufacturer.

DON'T cut concrete, stone, or brick without water suppression or dust extraction.
DON'T use dry cutting methods when wet cutting equipment is available on site.
DON'T work without RPE when the COSHH assessment requires respiratory protection.
DON'T sweep silica dust with a broom — use an H-class vacuum or wet methods.
DON'T skip health surveillance — lung function testing detects damage before you feel symptoms.
DON'T ignore the COSHH assessment — it specifies the controls you must use for each task.
DON'T work in enclosed spaces without ventilation when generating silica dust.
DON'T start dust-generating work if extraction or suppression systems are not functioning.
DON'T dismiss a persistent cough — it could be the first sign of silicosis.
DON'T use extraction equipment with blocked or expired filters — it stops working properly.

See also: Construction Dust Awareness | RPE Selection & Face Fit Testing

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