HEALTH & SAFETY
By Anh-Tau Vuong, president, DuroVac E
arlier this year, the head of the National Coal Miners’ Union called for stricter regulation of silica dust in mines, as hazardous
mineral dust is linked to a rise in potentially fatal black lung disease. While the government has a responsibility to drive change in occupational dust hazards, employers also play a vital role in providing a safe environment for employees.
RECOGNISING THE RISKS Dust particles in the workplace are common but can be harmful in high concentrations. Mineral dust like silica, organic dust such as wood and flour and mineral fibres like asbestos are all found across various business types and are dangerous if inhaled in significant quantities.
When it comes to dust, it’s the smaller, fine particles that pose the most risk. Larger particles tend to get trapped by nose hairs or the mucus lining, which prevents them from travelling further. Smaller particles evade our bodies’ defences and become lodged in the lungs and even absorbed in the bloodstream.
Those working in environments with high concentrations of fine particles are at increased risk of respiratory health complications. For example, people working in abrasive blasting, foundry work, stonecutting, drilling and quarry work are at risk of silica exposure that can be disabling or even fatal.
Others at risk include those in construction and fire rescue services, where asbestos inhalation is a hazard and may lead to reduced lung function. Long-term exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma. Catering Those who work in baking facilities or plants which manufacture food products can be susceptible to flour inhalation, which is a respiratory sensitizer, known to cause allergic
48 O TOBERC 2019 | FA ORY&HANDLINGSOLI rhinitis and occupational asthma.
Anyone working with wood, such as carpenters, could face irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, dermatitis and damage to the respiratory system, which can decrease lung capacity.
SETTING A SAFETY STANDARD
It’s not enough for employers to recognise the danger, they also need to outline a clear safety policy to eliminate any risks to employees Safety data sheets are useful for outlining each substance, including the material type, risks it poses and processes for dealing with it in the workplace. Additional details include the material’s chemical structure, preventative measures employees can take to avoid injury and details on how to handle the material safely. They should even include precautionary details such as general safety tips and fire evacuation measures. Schedule regular meetings with employees to maintain awareness of updates and changes to internal processes. This allows you to answer any questions and understand employees’ concerns.
Make sure staff are taking key messages on board by organising regular safety inspections at every stage of the process. This may require you to run practice drills for situations such as dangerous concentrations of dust or a fire.
THE ROLE OF PPE
For employees for whom avoiding dust is impossible, it’s up to the business to minimise the risk of harm. Employers are legally required to provide staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) to defend them against any viable workplace hazards.
This could mean those working in environments with high concentrations of fine dust particles are equipped with gloves, barrier creams and other
FACTORY&HANDL NGSOLUT ONS UTIONSI
skin protection such as long-sleeved clothing. Eye protection such as goggles and visors and respiratory protection such as face coverings and masks may also be required.
However, it’s not enough to simply provide protection in the current environment. Employers must constantly monitor the presence of dust in the workplace and act against increasing concentration levels of harmful particles. Using dust measuring devices, employers can measure levels of substances in the air and track indoor air quality and the size of present airborne particles. Dust is present in every workplace but isn’t usually harmful in natural amounts. Installing a dust measuring device means you’ll be notified when concentrations become dangerous, so you can begin safety protocols such as evacuating staff and enclosing areas of the workplace.
THE FINAL STEP
It is key to eliminate the problem, by cleaning the plant or building to reduce and remove harmful particles as much as possible. The first step is to enclose the contaminated area to control spreading. Installing a local exhaust ventilation (LEV) system helps extract airborne dust and fumes before they can be inhaled by employees. For those areas where dust cannot be eradicated, a diffusion ventilator disperses particles evenly around the space to avoid highly concentrated areas.
Industrial vacuums are recommended for warehouses and larger spaces, where getting complete coverage of the whole workspace can be challenging. Models with built-in HEPA filters help to trap dust inside the vacuum, meaning they can’t escape back into the environment.
Durovac
www.durovac.com
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