HSE Launches First “Dust Kills” Campaign of 2023

The Campaign

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is launching a nationwide inspection campaign of construction sites, running from Monday 15^th May to July 2023.*

The inspections, targeting workers’ lung health, will determine whether adequate control measures are in place to protect against the breathing in of hazardous dust, such as silica, gypsum and wood dust. Inspectors will also ensure that asbestos containing materials have been identified and either removed or are being effectively managed. If any additional safety concerns arise on site during inspections, stringent measures will be taken to deal with them. Failure to pass an inspection can lead to heavy fines and temporary project shutdown.

In its most recent statistics, the HSE estimated that 12 to 13,000 deaths a year are linked to occupational lung disease. The Labour Force Survey also estimated that there have been 19,000 new cases of occupational breathing or lung problems reported over the last three years.

Life affecting occupational lung disease is preventable, and the key aim of the HSE Dust Kills campaign is to ensure that workers’ health is being protected on site.

Do You have Dust Under Control?

As an employer, you have a duty of care to protect workers and must ensure that health hazard controls are in place to effectively capture, contain and control dust on your construction site(s). RVT are here to help you fulfil this.

Our extensive Dustex® dust control range, including water mist cannons, dust extractors, HEPA filtration and more, is ideal for protecting workers from exposure to toxic constructions dusts and other hazardous airborne contaminants. Our dust control solutions are suitable for a variety of applications from drilling to demolition so, whatever your project entails, there is a tailored solution available to keep your workers safe on site.

View the full Dustex® dust control range here.

We can also help you get inspection ready with our 10-point dust control checklist, so you can ensure that you are fully equipped to capture, contain and control dust on your construction site. From PPE to a COSHH risk assessment, you can follow the steps to keep everyone safe from hazardous construction dust.

Download yours here.

*Construction and occupational health organisations partnering with the campaign include Health in Construction Leadership Group (HCLG), Construction Leadership Council (CLC), Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC), Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), and Construction Dust Partnership.