Construction Health & Safety News, Advice and Information from PP Construction Safety

Stoneworker events aims to clear the air on harmful dust

HSE has teamed up with the Working Well Together campaign and others to deliver a number of events across Scotland explaining how stonemasons can be protected from silicosis caused by breathing stone dust. 

Around 10 construction workers die each week as a result of breathing in dust containing crystalline silica by cutting drilling, grinding or polishing materials like kerbing, paving blocks and concrete.

Pamela McKenzie of HSE commented: “There are many practical steps employees and employers can take to reduce the risks from inhaling stone dust. Recent inspections have found workers are still carrying out stone processing work without wearing appropriate respiratory equipment. There are many practical ways workers and employers can reduce the risks caused by stone work. These include:

• planning work properly
• providing information and training to staff
• using water to suppress dust during stonework activity
• using dust extraction on power tools
• purchasing dust-reduced materials
• wearing protective respiratory equipment

This article was posted on 6th November 2009 in ALL LATEST NEWS, silica.
PP Construction Safety H&S Assistance and Consultancy service.