HSE warns about dangers of RCS inhalation at work

11:42:00 Thursday 8th January 2009

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a campaign to warn construction workers about the dangers of inhaling respirable crystalline silica (RSC) when at work.

Lung conditions, such as silicosis, caused by RCS inhalation, can lead to compensation claims and can leave workers with damaged lungs that are reliant on a bottled oxygen supply.

In an attempt to prevent more cases of silicosis caused by RCS, the HSE has launched the ‘Clear the Air’ campaign which has been developed and written by industry experts and includes a DVD, leaflets and online forums. The industry has requested 240,000 leaflets and 3,000 DVDs so far.

The HSE says, "Methods and products to prevent dust clouds have been available for a long time and this working group has produced a range of resources to facilitate their use. It is now up to industry as a whole to take the lead and prevent needless illness and deaths caused by silica dust."

Alongside the campaign, machinery hire firms are being advised to provide dust suppression kits with their equipment and Mark-One-Hire is providing kits free of charge for a limited period.

The British Precast Concrete Federation, Interpave, is also producing advice on best practice to help avoid the production and inhalation of RCS.

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