The recipient of the CIOB Paul Dockerill Award, Dr Scott McGibbon, has completed his research into and tool kits for silica dust.
The Residents, Clients & Construction Professionals Silica Excellence (ReACT) research was funded by CIOB through the £10,000 grant given to the winner of the award created to honour the legacy of Paul Dockerill FCIOB.
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust is one of the construction sector’s biggest long-term occupational health risks. Generated during activities such as cutting, drilling, grinding and chasing materials including concrete, brick, stone and tiles, the dust particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs.
According to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), around 600 construction workers die each year from exposure to silica dust and other hazardous substances, with silica linked to serious diseases including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. The risks are particularly acute in repair, maintenance and retrofit projects, where work is often carried out in occupied homes and confined spaces.
Industry concern around silica exposure has grown alongside the push to upgrade the UK’s ageing housing stock to meet net-zero targets. Large-scale retrofit programmes, adaptations and decarbonisation works are expected to increase activities that generate silica dust, placing greater emphasis on effective dust suppression, ventilation, PPE and workforce awareness.
Despite tighter regulation and improved guidance, health experts have warned that occupational lung disease remains under-recognised in construction, with many workers exposed repeatedly over long periods. Campaigners have also highlighted the need for better training among smaller contractors and trades operating in domestic settings, where dust controls can be inconsistent.
Dr McGibbon said the ReACT project aimed to address these challenges by improving knowledge and behaviours around silica safety across the social housing RMI sector.
“The research was aimed to fill the gaps in knowledge, awareness, behaviours and attitudes of those managing, undertaking or involved in UK Social Housing repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) projects,” said Dr McGibbon.
“The goal was to help all those involved be more aware of the silica dust dangers and how to mitigate and manage those risks along with promoting ‘best practice’ workplace RCS safety practices,” he added.
“In terms of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) dust exposure compliance, there is a need for wholesale maintenance, retrofitting, and adaptations to the current residential housing stock at scale, as well the current level of construction works.”
