Just how risky is construction dust? The IOSH and CITB reveal all

The IOSH and CITB have jointly released a new survey covering the risks of on-site dust and how to control them.

The key findings of the survey are as follows:

- a lack of priority given to this issue by companies
- poor awareness of the risks among workers
- little attempt to design out dust risks
- a poor understanding and use of on-tool extraction
- an over-reliance on respiratory protective equipment as the main form of control
- a lack of awareness about face-fit testing
- inadequate management arrangements to control dust
- poor worker compliance with the arrangements that are in place
- a lack of worker consultation

The 52-page survey entitled "Construction dust" is available to download and read from the CITB website.

Envirocare has also written an excellent article summarising the survey and the controlling of risks on a day-to-day basis. It's well worth your time to read.