Dust in the Workplace

 Dust in the Workplace

1. Why Dust Matters

Dust is more than a nuisance; it can damage health.

Repeated exposure can cause:

Silicosis (from silica dust)

Asthma (from wood dust, flour dust, etc.)

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Lung cancer

Even everyday dust (like paper or wood) can be harmful if levels exceed workplace exposure limits.

2. Main Sources of Dust

Cutting, drilling, grinding, or sanding materials.

Handling powders (cement, flour, chemicals).

Construction work (stone, concrete, brick).

Dry sweeping or use of compressed air to clean surfaces.

3. Control Measures (COSHH Approach)

Assess

Identify dusty tasks.

Check visible dust or use dust-monitoring tools.

Control

Eliminate or reduce dust generation at source

Use prefabricated materials or pre-cut items where possible.

Engineering controls

Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)

On-tool extraction

Water suppression systems

Good housekeeping

Wet cleaning or industrial vacuuming

Avoid dry sweeping

Protect

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

Minimum APF 20 for construction dust (e.g., FFP3 masks).

Must be fit-tested.

Other PPE: gloves, overalls, wash facilities.

Review

Test and maintain LEV systems (at least every 14 months).

Supervise work practices.

Provide refresher training.

4. Legal Duties

Employers must comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations.

Health surveillance is mandatory where silica or other high-risk dust exposures are likely.

Training and clear instructions must be given to workers.

5. Key Takeaways

Assess risks for every dusty task.

Control dust at source before relying on PPE.

Protect workers with the right RPE and PPE.

Review regularly to keep controls effective.

Educate workers so they understand risks and safe practices.