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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is planning a series of site inspections over the coming month to make sure construction firms are aware of the risks of dust.
The programme of inspections, scheduled for October, comes as part of the safety watchdog’s plans to reduce the level of asbestos, silica, wood and other dusts – all of which are known to be slow killers – in the construction environment.
The HSE estimates that annually there are around 8,000 work-related cancer deaths every year in the UK and that the construction industry accounts for around 3,500 of these with asbestos and silica the major causes.
During the month-long ‘dustbuster’ initiative, inspectors will be looking to ensure those involved with construction projects know the risks, properly plan their work and use the right controls. Where poor standards are found, enforcement action will be taken, the HSE has warned.
For more details from the HSE on how to make sure you are ready for a site inspection, click here.
