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 Quarry Dust and Silica Monitoring (COSHH)
20/2/2008
Occupational Health Risk
A major health risk encountered by people working in the quarrying industry is exposure to fine respirable dust which contains silica. Silica is found in the majority of rocks, sands and clays and therefore workers within the quarrying industry are particulary susceptible. Workers are at risk from fine airborne particles, entering into the respiratory tract. However, these small particles are often not visible to the naked eye and therefore may not be an obvious exposure risk to workers. Exposure over a number of years can lead to the development of the condition known as silicosis. This is a form of scar tissue in the gas exchange region of the lungs that leads to difficulties in oxygen uptake into the bloodstream. Furthermore new evidence suggests that long term exposure to silica can increase the risk of the development of lung cancer.
Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2005 employers must make suitable and sufficient assessment of the health risks created by work which is liable to exposure their employees to substances hazardous to health.
In addition, as silica is linked to cancer, exposure must be reduced to as low levels as is reasonable practicable. In 2006 a new workplace exposure limit of just 0.1mg/m3 (8hr time weighted average (TWA)), which must not be exceeded, was introduced for respirable crystalline silica in response to the increased concern about its health affects.
Adherence to the regulations will provide the following benefits for employers and their employees.
Improve productivity due to lower levels of ill health
Improve employee morale
Lower the number of civil court claims
What we can do for you?
Envirocare can provide assistance by carrying out independent air quality monitoring within the quarrying workplace. COSHH air monitoring work can provide a crucial part in aiding the production of your COSHH risk assessments. Our service includes expert technical advice tailored to the needs of the individual quarry. These include:
• Assessing operative exposure to respirable dust and silica levels and ensure levels are not above permitted workplace exposure limits values.
• Recommend further control measures to be put in place in order to reduce the risk of ill health to your employees.
• Through workplace observations recommend actions in ensuring you meet your obligations in reducing exposure to as low as is reasonably practicable.
Please contact Andrea Beswick on 01274 738668 or email andrea@envirocare.org. Further information can be obtained on
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