News & Info

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has launched an awareness campaign for construction workers around the dangers of breathing in fine respirable dust which contains silica.

Silica is found in stone, sand, soil, clay and rock. Fine silica dust, called respirable crystalline silica (RCS) can be generated by the cutting, drilling, grinding and demolition of concrete, stone and brick. Workers within quarrying and masonry industries are particularly susceptible, but wherever concrete, stone or sand-based materials are used, there is potential for exposure to RCS.

RCS dust particles can hang in the air for hours after release and are invisible to the naked eye.

When these particles are inhaled over a period of time, they can damage and permanently scar lung tissue. This can lead to serious lung diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and silicosis.

Silicosis is a progressive, incurable lung disease and symptoms include persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and increased risk of respiratory infections. It can occur after only a few months of heavy exposure without proper control measures in place. Or it may take a number of years to present as an illness.

According to the HSA, safety measures that can help eliminate or reduce exposure to silica dust include:

• water suppression,
• on-tool dust extraction,
• containment methods,
• proper use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Paul Tracey, who specialises in accident at work claims, including chemical and gas inhalation claims, welcomes the HSA initiative and says this awareness campaign is a timely reminder for construction firms to have robust safety measures in place for their employees.

“The HSA’s commitment to improving health and safety in the construction industry is vital. These campaigns are an important way of engaging with all industry stakeholders, including media, to increase understanding of the dangers of inhaling silica dust.”

“Every worker is entitled to a safe and healthy workplace, including clean air, and the construction industry is no different,” he adds.

“We are hopeful that this increased awareness around silica and silicosis leads to higher use of the safety measures that can reduce silica dust inhalation and reduce incidence of silicosis and other lung diseases in construction workers.”

If you have suffered an injury or illness as a result of your work, contact us for a confidential discussion.

You can also find useful resources on preventing occupational lung disease at breathefreely.ie/