Respirable crystalline silica social partner agreement
Government department lead
HSE has an interest.
Latest developments
The members of the multi-sectorial Negotiation Platform on Silica (NePSi) have signed an autonomous 'Agreement on Workers Health Protection through the good handling and use of Crystalline Silica and products containing it' which came into effect on 25 October 2006. This agreement aims to improve the protection of over two million workers employed in the by the signatory sectors from exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS). The guidance covers almost every possible task in the industry sectors and advice is included on dust monitoring, health surveillance, training and research.
Although the Silica Social Dialogue Agreement does not formally cover the construction industry, there is a considerable amount of useful information in the Social Dialogue Agreement Good Practice Guide and Good Practice Sheets.
HSE has welcomed the Agreement. It will contribute to the overall aim of improving good practice in industries where there is exposure to RCS.
Background
- The four-year Agreement was formally signed on 25 April 2006, came into force on 25 October 2006, and applies to every Member State.
- It is based on a legal text supported by a 'good practice' guide and a number of supporting annexes.
Next steps
- The agreement will be in place until October 2010, and then reviewed every two years.