Breathe easy

This Issue This is a part of the Safety at work feature

By - , Build 168

Every year, 5,000–6,000 people in New Zealand are hospitalised after being exposed to airborne contaminants at work, including wood dust and silica. Construction workers are particularly at risk, so take precautions to prevent exposure.

WORKERS IN THE construction sector are 20 times more likely to die of exposure to harmful airborne substances than from a workplace accident. Those who smoke are at even greater risk.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, employers have a responsibility, as far as is reasonably practicable, to keep their workers not only safe but healthy as well. This means thinking about how risks like dust can be eliminated, isolated or managed.

Dust can cause significant health issues

Dust is tiny, dry particles in the air. It can be produced when building materials are cut, drilled, demolished, sanded or shovelled. While many work activities can create dust, the dust that can’t be seen is the dust that causes the most harm.

Breathing in dust can have both acute and chronic effects, potentially causing long-term health issues for builders.

Dust is found:

  • when cutting, sanding, grinding, sweeping and polishing
  • in the lead oxide dust in old pipes
  • when stripping out fibrous insulation, lagging or packing materials
  • on dry and exposed worksites
  • when it is windy and hot.

In dry weather, dust in the air increases. Sand particles, for example, will fly around on windy days and can be fatal when breathed into lungs over time.

Take care around silica dust

Exposure to silica dust – a major component of beach sand and granite – can cause silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Silica is found in cement concrete, bricks, fibre-cement, rocks, stone, sand and clay.

Breathing in silica dust can cause lung tissue to scar, a condition known as silicosis. This scarring results in a loss of lung function. The effects of silicosis are permanent and may continue to develop even after exposure has ceased. Once silicosis has developed, there can be an increased risk of kidney disease and tuberculosis.

Testing for silicosis is difficult but symptoms include:

  • frequent dry coughing
  • shortness of breath
  • wheezing
  • increased tiredness.

Reducing risks from dust

Preventing exposure to dust is important.

Use extraction methods

Extract the dust when it is generated using:

  • on-tool extraction
  • local exhaust ventilation (LEV), which can be used for workplaces where stone is cut, ground and polished.

Think about where the dust is going so it does not affect other workers or the public.

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Wet the product to keep dust down

Water suppression and wet working methods can keep dust out of the air and out of your lungs. Spray surfaces with water or cover, especially piles of sand or gravel outdoors. Make sure you have enough water for the whole job, but don’t soak it.

Equipment and work areas need to be frequently washed clean with water, not dry swept. Also, remember that dust silt can’t go down the drain but must be collected and then disposed of.

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Wear personal protective equipment

Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the task and in accordance with the material safety data sheet such as respiratory protection, hearing protection, overalls, jacket, gloves, hard hat and eye protection. Seek professional advice about the right type of respiratory protection.

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Good hygiene important

If working in a dusty environment, wash face and hands immediately after finishing tasks and before eating, drinking or smoking. Wash contaminated work gear, clothing and boots on site if possible. Ideally, wash dusty clothes separately.

Other steps to consider are air monitoring, health monitoring and training and taking Site Safe’s Passport renewal course that includes exposure to dust.

  

WorkSafe guidance

WorkSafe is into its second year of a 10-year strategic plan to address work-related health risks.

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Clean air

WorkSafe has been focusing on clean air, particularly the health risks associated with silica dust, solvents, welding fumes, wood dust and carbon monoxide. To raise awareness that silica can lead to silicosis, WorkSafe has produced several guides covering:

  • who is responsible for managing worker exposure and related issues
  • silica awareness
  • controlling construction dust with on-tool extraction
  • the right type of respiratory protection.

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Asbestos regulations and guidance

Asbestos exposure remains the number one workplace killer in New Zealand. Each year, around 170 New Zealanders die from asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

In 2016, new regulations introduced a raft of measures to improve the practices of people working in and around asbestos, designed to reduce exposure to airborne asbestos fibres.

For tradespeople, the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Health and Safety at Work (Asbestos) Regulations 2016 require that you are trained to identify and safely handle asbestos. Asbestos awareness courses are available across the country and should be eligible as evidence of continued professional development.

The asbestos regulations require that a full asbestos survey is done before doing refurbishment and demolition work if the structure was constructed or installed before 1 January 2000 or asbestos has previously been identified.

WorkSafe has guides for tradespeople who work for themselves or have other people, including apprentices, working for them. Each resource covers:

  • the risk of working with or near asbestos
  • the difference between friable and non-friable asbestos
  • where asbestos is likely to be found in New Zealand homes and other buildings
  • the key ways to protect yourself when working with asbestos
  • how to dispose of asbestos waste
  • workers’ rights and responsibilities.

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For more

Further information and the free guides are available from www.worksafe.govt.nz. There is specific information on dust, asbestos and more. 

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Articles are correct at the time of publication but may have since become outdated.

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