Respiratory - Stage 4: Control risk

This section provides guidance on some common measures that contractors can take to control the risk of exposure to airborne hazards.

• COSHH Schedule 2A
  Lists the principles of good control practice that must be followed.

Control of silica and other dust

Examples of dust control techniques include:

• purchase policy - buy dust-reduced materials, eg pellets, tablets, solutions, or pastes and use pre-weighed material in sealed bags;

• using water to suppress dust during cutting, grinding, or blasting, for dusty roadways and demolition plant (eg crushers);
  • Time to clear the air! Protect your lungs when using cut-off saws MISC830
  • Case study: Kerb cutting at Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council COH13
  • Case study: Dust suppression on dusty roads
• using dust extraction on power tools
  • Case study: Controlling dust during the refurbishment and extension of occupied premises COH15
• improving work practices: don't allow material to be dropped from a great height;
• controlling waste: use closed bags, or containers. Don't let wet waste dry out - remove it frequently from site;
• vacuum cleaning: don't use brushes or compressed air;
• segregation: either separate the dusty activity from other parts of the site physically, or do the dusty work at a time when others are not around.

The COSHH Essentials in Construction series provides more detailed guidance on appropriate controls for the major construction tasks that produce significant dust and RCS exposures. These guidance notes are to help employers to assess risks and decide on appropriate controls:

• Advice for managers CN0
• Concrete scabbling CN1
• Chasing with hand-held power tools CN2
• Drilling and coring with hand-held rotary power tools CN3
• Crushing and screening demolition material CN4
• Clearing and removing rubble CN5
• Cutting paving and kerbstones with rotary cutters CN6
• Abrasive blasting CN7
• Tunnelling and shaft sinking CN8
• Pneumatic breaker in poor ventilation (eg indoors) CN9
• Cutting silica-filled composites CN10
• Control cabins and vehicle cabs CN11
• Silica CIS36
• Dust control on concrete cutting saws used in the construction industry CIS54

Control of sensitisers (which may cause asthma)

Materials likely to cause sensitisation include:

• epoxy resins;
• isocyanates (found in some foams, sealers, adhesives and binders); and
• Portland cement.

If it is not possible to eliminate epoxy resins isocyanates, or other sensitisers at the design stage then it might be necessary to control exposure by changing the way that you work.

Well-maintained, effective local exhaust ventilation may be needed. Proper maintenance is particularly important otherwise efficiency is likely to deteriorate as parts such as filters become blocked. Workers must be properly informed of the hazards and should be trained and supervised to use the materials and equipment safely.

Finally, if control measures fail to control exposure, suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE) must be worn and workers must be trained to use it properly.