Understanding the Dangers of Ballast Dust

While dust is an inherent feature of most construction sites, when it arises from working with ballast, it presents a serious health hazard.

Dust arising from ballast contains granite, and granite has a silica content of around 30%. This means that ballast dust clouds contain harmful respirable crystalline silica (RCS) which can cause lung cancer and other serious respiratory diseases if it is inhaled.

Companies are required to limit exposure under COSSH regulations. Substantial fines can, and have been, levied where workers have been given insufficient protection from ballast dust.

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