Two recent prosecutions highlight the importance of dust control in the workplace.
A stone worktop manufacturer and wood supplier have been fined £100,000 in total after inspectors found their workshops “caked” in stone and wood dust respectively. The UK Health and Safety Executive (UK HSE) reported the prosecutions last week.
Why were they prosecuted?
Following inspections by HSE, both companies were found to be in breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act as they had failed to protect their workers from dangerous dust.
This included failure to implement appropriate control measures, which are required under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations if exposure to hazardous substances cannot be prevented or eliminated.
The fines imposed also reflect the fact that both companies had been given prior opportunities to act on the problems, yet had not done so.
“Potentially deadly dust”
HSE describes the dust the workers were exposed to as “potentially deadly”.
Stone dust often contains respirable crystalline silica (RCS), a form of mineral that can be drawn deep into the lungs.
RCS is associated with silicosis, an irreversible hardening and scarring of lung tissue, as well as a number of debilitating lung conditions known collectively as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also classified as a Group 1 carcinogen.
Wood dust can similarly damage the lungs, with carpenters and joiners four times more likely to develop asthma. It can also cause cancer of the nose and dermatitis.
In the press release for the stone worktop manufacturer’s prosecution, HSE’s Principal Inspector Karen Morris states that the case should send a clear message to employers that the risks of dusts in the workplace must be taken extremely seriously.
What’s being done?
In recognition of these risks and the fact that it is not uncommon for inspectors to find poor health and safety management in stone workshops, HSE recently launched a new health and safety resource for installers of stone worksurfaces. We wrote about it here.
Wood dust is also the subject of an ongoing HSE campaign. This involves regular inspections of woodworking businesses to ascertain whether risks are being suitably managed.
In 2022/2023, it was found that 78% of the businesses investigated were non-compliant in their management of respiratory sensitisers, further suggesting that many workplaces lack appropriate dust control.
Where there is risk of developing potentially life-changing diseases – as with exposure to stone and wood dust, businesses are strongly recommended to consult the expertise of a qualified occupational hygienist.
Cura Terrae’s team of occupational hygiene professionals are highly experienced in helping employers protect their workforce from a range of occupational hazards, including stone and wood dusts.
View our full range of services here and get in touch today.
Image source: UK HSE.
