Toolbox Talk Respiratory Health Risks in Construction This

Toolbox Talk Respiratory Health Risks in Construction This project has been delivered with support from the CITB Growth Fund, which aims to ensure that the construction industry has the right people, with the right skills, in the right place, at the right time and is equipped to meet the future skills demands of the industry.

Tasks where these hazards can be found » Cutting stone » Mixing concrete » Woodwork » Insulating » Demolishing » Welding » Grit blasting » Cutting MDF » Maintenance » Painting & removal of paint » Sweeping up

What are the health hazards? What health hazards could be present from this?

Risks » Chronic asthma » Chest infections » Irreversible Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) » Cancer » Silicosis » Asbestosis

Dust and Chemicals Asthma: the symptoms are: » Shortness of breath » Wheezing and » A tight feeling in the chest, often worse at night. COPD : (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Symptoms include: » Cough » Phlegm Shortness of breath

Why worry? » Breathing difficulties can stop you from being able to work » Breathing difficulties can stop you from living a normal life outside work

Prevention What can you do to avoid problems? » Know what you’re working with • health & safety data sheet • method statement e. g. for controlling dust

Prevention What about RPE? » Make sure it fits » Have a face fit test » Make sure it is appropriate for task » Keep it clean and in good working order » Make sure you use and wear it as you have been trained to

Asbestos Every week 20 tradesmen die from asbestos related diseases » There is no safe level of exposure » Fibres that are so small you cannot see them, but you can breathe them in » Exposure now? Symptoms usually begin to appear 15 -20 years after initial exposure Damage caused by Asbestos fibres

Risks » Pleural plaques » Asbestosis » Mesothelioma » Asbestos related lung cancer

Prevention Where can asbestos be found? » Mainly in maintenance or refurbishment of older buildings (up to 1980’s) What should you do if you find it? » Leave it alone » Stop work » Stop others from working in area » Get it checked out

Silica ‘Respirable Crystaline Silica’ (RCS) is silica that can be breathed in » Where can Silica be found? • stone masonry • façade renovation • blast cleaning of buildings, especially using sand • many demolition processes • concrete scabbling, cutting or drilling • tunnelling

Risks » Silicosis » Tuberculosis » Lung cancer There are over 500 deaths recorded per year due to cancer from silica exposure

Prevention » Eliminate silica dust from your work i. e. substitute it using non-silica grits for blasting » Design out the need for scabbling, cutting or drilling concrete » Control exposure » Use respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

General Warning signs » Do not ignore a long term persistent cough » Shortness of breath » Coughing up phlegm with blood in it » Loss of appetite » Chest pain or ache » Unexplained tiredness » Plain and/or swelling in abdomen » All will be aggravated by smoking » Seek medical support

ANY QUESTIONS? www. cbhscheme. com