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Health & Safety i www.thefis.org 27 PPE (provide gloves, earplugs, etc.) Administrative controls (install signs, rotate jobs, etc.) Engineering controls (physical changes, e.g. redesign machine by adding safeguards) Isolate (separate the hazard from the people at risk from the injury) Substitute (replace the hazardous work practice or machine with an alternative) Eliminate (remove the cause of the danger completely) Do not simply choose a control measure because it is easy and fast to implement Do more of this Do less of this FIND OUTMORE For more information about minimising exposure to silica visit: www.veritas-consulting.co.uk “The Health and Safety Executive has warned that silica is the biggest risk to construction workers after asbestos, with around 600,000 workers having been exposed in the UK.” develop silicosis, an untreatable but entirely preventable lung disease. Silicosis occurs over several years of exposure to silica dust which puts construction workers and those in similar roles, such as demolition and quarrying, at extremely high risk. Early symptoms include a persistent cough and shortness of breath. It can ultimately be fatal due to respiratory failure. The next asbestos? In March 2020, an All Party Parliamentary Group Report (APPG) on the dangers of silica was published in partnership with B&CE, entitled Silica – the next asbestos? In the report, the government was urged to take the threat of silica seriously, and it highlighted the extensive lack of awareness of silica and silicosis in the UK, particularly in the construction industry. The report made several recommendations to minimise the risk of silica dust to those in construction and beyond. These include: • making silicosis a reportable condition under RIDDOR, alongside conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, and tendonitis; • creating industry awareness through targeted programmes; • screening for those exposed to RCS; and • lowering the workplace exposure limit to bring RCS into line with other developed countries. The Health and Safety Executive has warned that silica is the biggest risk to construction workers after asbestos, with around 600,000 workers having been exposed in the UK. What designers can do The responsibility to minimise silica exposure runs across the entire construction sector, but architects and designers have an especially important role to play. The APPG report states that designers, when planning construction projects, should do everything in their power to prevent RCS exposure. In the first instance, the potential of exposure should be designed out entirely wherever possible. Stating that there is no ‘acceptable’ level of RCS exposure, the report suggests that designers should aim to ensure cutting and fracturing is done offsite, at specialised facilities with high levels of controls, such as exhaust ventilation, water suppression and professional respiratory equipment. The report also says if offsite manufacture cannot be achieved, then cutting on site should only be done with the highest quality controls in place. Many designers are already aware of the risk of RCS and, as such, specify offsite manufacture – but too many projects utilise on site cutting to reduce cost and time involved. Furthermore, potentially life-saving PPE such as professional grade masks are overlooked in favour of less expensive options, despite being zero-rated for VAT and tax deductible. Though these tactics may save money in the short term, they can be far more costly in the long run, both in human terms and possibly financial, if it is found that the responsibility to protect workers was shirked. Overall, the report calls for a complete elimination of RCS exposure wherever possible, with workers on site using respiratory protective equipment only as a last resort. Jim Shannon MP, Chair of the APPG, said: “The inquiry has given us real insights into the outstanding work carried out in the construction industry and the hazards that are too often part of everyday life for those who work within it. We hope that the outcomes of the report will assist the Health and Safety Executive, the Government and the construction industry to protect its workforce from preventable injury and illnesses.” Like asbestosis, silicosis is terrible but ultimately preventable through awareness and safe, thoughtful planning. Designers and architects, as well as those with health and safety responsibilities throughout the life of any project should be aware of this risk and take all necessary steps to lessen its impact.