TILING TOOLS & WORKWEAR
ARE YOU CONSTRUCTION DUST AWARE?
As a construction worker, dust is often just considered to come with the territory of the job; but it can actually be a serious threat to the health of workers. Here, safety equipment specialist Arco advises on how to protect yourself from construction dust and breathe easy.
On a busy construction or domestic site, dust is everywhere, so people working in these environments on a regular basis, including tilers, need to be aware. Even trying to keep dust under control by regular sweeping can cause further problems as the particles are raised in the air and continue to circulate, causing a real risk to workers’ health. Anyone working with or in dusty settings must take safety precautions in order to minimise inhalation of construction dust, particularly if they are ‘on-site’ regularly. Such workers are at increased risk of damaged respiratory system and dust-related diseases which could prove fatal.
Tilers are at high risk of developing lung cancer, silicosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and asthma when faced with dust on site. Often, these conditions develop over time due to frequent exposure to hazardous fibres and particles. Because many of the symptoms and health conditions caused by exposure to construction dust take years to develop, concerns are often dismissed or underestimated. By the time symptoms of dust exposure are taken into consideration by construction workers, it is often too late as the effects are irreversible.
According to recent statistics, long- term exposure to silica contributes to over 500 construction worker deaths each year and COPD is responsible for around 4,000. Evaluating work environments and educating on how to prevent and control dust exposure, is more pressing than ever before.
ASSESS THE DANGER Tilers often find themselves working on construction sites, particularly when taking on bigger jobs. This can
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mean that even when they are not creating their own dust, they are still working within dusty environments. Assessing the potential risks and evaluating work space and materials is essential.
systems or on tool extraction allows you to capture dust as it’s produced.
If damping down with water and extraction tools does not provide an effective solution, it’s important to use respiratory protection equipment (RPE) to ensure adequate defence against dust. This is particularly important for workers, such as sole traders, who may not have access to, or budget for, LEV systems. For short duration work disposable masks are one solution. However, for workers functioning alongside dust for longer periods of time, full face masks provide integrated eye and face protection. Powered air respirators reduce potential damage to lungs from the inhalation of hazardous substances.
It has been found that there is a low awareness and understanding concerning the risks of construction dust. Underlying issues tend to be that dust is a normal part of work and is to be expected; that dust-control is expensive and time-consuming; and that the job takes priority over conditions on-site. It is also indicated that poor management arrangements are responsible for most failures in dusty workplaces. Attitudes compromising health need to be resolved, and using the correct safety equipment to match the hazards of the job, need to be ingrained within any tilers’ mentality.
PREVENT, CONTROL,
TRAIN, MONITOR Using different materials, methods and less powerful works tools are ways in which you can reduce the amount of dust you create and prevent it from spreading. Damping down with water is an effective way to stop dust clouds forming. Similarly, fitting local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
Employers and industry bodies urge construction workers to face-fit test masks and RPE apparatus to ensure the competency of their equipment. People’s faces differ in shape and size, RPE cannot conform to a ‘one- size-fits-all’ rule. Face-fit testing also ensures that the equipment selected is suitable for the wearer.
Training, guidance, and resources are available to demonstrate the application of face-fitted equipment to a recognised management standard.
When tiling, other personal protective equipment (PPE) is also an important consideration for workers. To protect hands from sharp edges and machinery, hand protection should be chosen based on the protection level needed.
Protective eyewear is also essential, to prevent objects, such as tile chippings and dust, from getting into the eye and causing potential long- term damage to eyesight.
www.arco.co.uk www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
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