Silicosis and Occupational Lung Disease

Silicosis is a very real problem in the Construction Industry.

Demolition, Construction, Strip-out and Diamond Drilling operations all have the potential to create a dusty working environment filled with Silicosis  and other air-borne materials that are hazardous to our health.

Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE) must be worn whilst carrying out these tasks.

DUST PROTECTION IS A MUST.

Silica dust – created when working on silica containing materials like concrete, mortar, and sandstone (also known as respirable crystalline silica or RCS)

Wood dust – created when working on softwood, hardwood and wood-based products like MDF and plywood

Lower toxicity dusts – created when working on materials containing very little or no silica. The most common including gypsum (e.g. in plasterboard) limestone, marble and dolomite.

The main dust related diseases affecting construction workers are:

• Lung cancer
• Silicosis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma