HSE ‘Dangers of Dust’ seminar
Construction industry workers invited to find out about the dangers of dust and how to control it
THE Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is inviting representatives of the construction industry to a free seminar about the dangers of dust.
Every year 500 workers die from the effects of inhaling dust from materials such as concrete, mortar, gypsum or sandstone.
The half-day event, organized by the Working Well Together group, will take place in Coalville, Leicestershire, on Friday 20 September. It aims to raise awareness among managers, supervisors and operatives of the health problems caused by dust, and the simple steps that should be taken to control it.
Practical sessions and demonstrations will focus on extraction systems, water suppression and respiratory protective equipment.
Chris Lucas of HSE’s Health Risk Management Unit, who will be speaking at the event, explained: ‘Construction dust is not just a nuisance, it is a serious risk to workers’ health.
‘Regularly breathing in even small amounts of dust over a long time can cause life-changing and life-threatening lung diseases, including cancer.’
For more information or to book a place contact HSE visiting officer Ian Weekes on tel: (0115) 971 2871.
Anyone unable to attend who would like to find out more can download a free information sheet from http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis36.htm
