Construction safety update: HSE to crack down on dust

More than 3,500 builders die each year from cancers related to their work, with thousands more cases of ill-health and working days lost. Many caused by dust in the workplace.

This month HSE are raising awareness of diseases caused by dust. These illnesses kill around 100 times as many workers as are killed in construction accidents.

HSE inspectors will be targeting construction firms across the UK to check that their health standards are up to scratch during a month-long inspection initiative.

Inspections will focus on respiratory risks and occupational lung disease; looking at the measures businesses have in place to protect their workers’ lungs from the likes of silica and wood dust, from activities such as cutting curbs and bricks, and carpentry.

While the primary focus will be on health during this programme of inspections, if a HSE inspector identifies any other areas of concern, they will take the necessary enforcement action to deal with them. This will include making sure that businesses are doing all they can to protect their workers from the risk of coronavirus and make workplaces COVID-secure.

If you have any concerns about dust in the workplace or would like to discuss the Health and Safety measures in your business, please contact us.