CoSHH and the Construction Industry – Silica Hazard

Published Date: 19th July 2010

A lot of commonly used products in the construction industry contain silica. Examples include stone, brick, tiles and concrete.

Silica itself is not hazardous but silica dust, otherwise known as Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), can cause a number of health problems for workers who are exposed to it.  The term ‘respirable’ means that the particles of dust are so fine they are easily inhaled into the lungs.

Activities which can result in high exposure to silica dust include stone masonry, concrete cutting and tunnelling. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimate that around 140,000 British construction workers are regularly exposed to silica dust.

Inhaling RCS can cause lung damage (silicosis) and it is in fact the world’s oldest known occupational disease. Silicosis can result in the lungs being scarred and thus will lead to breathing problems. In acute cases it causes irreversible damage to the lungs and can cause permanent disablement and premature death. Heavy and long periods of exposure to silica can also lead to lung cancer.

It is essential that employers find out how much silica their employees are exposed to. There is a maximum exposure limit (MEL) of 0.1 mg/m3.  Exposure to RCS should be reduced so far as is practical, and should be always below the MEL.

If workers are exposed to silica then their work activity should be subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to health Regulations 2002 (CoSHH). Under CoSHH assessment guidelines workers health risks are assessed and then prevented or controlled.

Employers have a responsibility to minimize the risks that workers are exposed to through CoSHH risk assessment. Primarily, they should try and eliminate silica dust from the workplace. This is possible by sometimes substituting silica for other materials such as using non-silica grits for blasting.

If an alternative product is not available and you cannot get rid of silica dust, then exposure should be controlled. This is possible using dust suppression techniques or local exhaust ventilation (LEV). LEV equipment can remove the dust at source and this is a much better option than trying to control exposure by ventilating the whole area.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) may help in certain circumstances but they need to be backed up with respiratory protective equipment (RPE) as well.  Workers should be well trained in the use of PPE and RPE. They should be monitored and supervised and equipment maintenance is crucial.

Good washing facilities should be made available to workers as well as suitable storage areas for contaminated work clothing.

Once the right controls are in place it is important that they are all working properly. Regular checks should be made and staff should continue to be informed and well trained.

What next?