How Can Silicosis Be Prevented In The Workplace?

How Can Silicosis Be Prevented In The Workplace?

Silicosis is entirely avoidable if suitable measures are put in place and adhered to by management and employees themselves. If you work in an environment where RCS (Respirable Crystalline Silica) is present your employer must – by law – provide you with the correct equipment and clothing you need to protect yourself and implement appropriate safety procedures to reduce the risks of inhalation by all employees.

By understanding the risks caused by RCS companies can take the first steps in reducing the danger to employees. Understanding what creates the dust within the workplace and avoiding it wherever possible is critical, knowing that even if you can’t see the dust you could still be at risk and that if dust is visible then you are very likely to be at risk.

Performing a full and thorough risk assessment is a crucial starting point – identifying areas of risk and looking at how they can best be managed to reduce danger.

If it is possible to substitute a material which does not contain RCS without detriment to the finished product then this can be a safe way to reduce risk. However if the materials being worked are naturely high in RCS then systems need to be put in place to minimise dust creation, reduce its dispersion and spread.

Personal Protective Equipment such as respirators, face masks, gloves and protective clothing can all help to reduce the risk of RCS being inhaled. Alongside the provision of such equipment, suitable training must be implemented so that all employees know how to use the equipment properly and safely. The equipment must also be maintained properly so as to perform its function safely – poorly maintained equipment can allow dust particles to pass through or around it, negating its performance.

When working in confined spaces using water to wet dust before it becomes airborne is helpful, as are machines such as drills and cutters that spray water onto the cutting surface, alongside dust collection systems. All machinery should be regularly tested and properly maintained, and all those employees who used machinery should be properly trained in how to do so safely.

It is important to ensure that any vehicles that are used in areas where dust could be present are suitably insulated so that the particles cannot get into the driver’s cab, and that they have suitable air-circulation and ventilation equipment for the user.

Monitoring RCS levels within a working environment allows real-time information to be used about dust levels, and should always be within the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) of 0.1mg/m3 of respirable dust, averaged over an 8 hour shift.

Health Surveillance
By monitoring the health of employees before, during and after their potential exposure to the RCS particles, a clearer picture of their health can be built up and any early signs can be caught in time to make a difference to ongoing practice.

As well as the employers’ duties, employees also have a responsibility to use any Personal Protective Equipment in the manner they have been trained to do so, to notify employers of any issues with equipment or machinery, and to cooperate with health surveillance and medical tests to ensure their ongoing health is not affected.

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