Research shows that dust exposure is a significant health hazard to people working in the construction industry. This article explains why dust exposure is dangerous and explores the various options available for reducing it.
Dust particles may sometimes be too small to see, but fine enough to breathe in. Once inhaled, it can become embedded deep in the lungs which can cause serious harm to health.
The damaging effects of dust can vary from skin irritation to lung cancer depending on the composition of the dust, and the type and degree of exposure.
Research shows that dust is a significant health hazard to people working in the construction industry as dust contains known carcinogens and silica.
Samantha Wilding, B&CE’s health policy and public affairs lead, states, in The Construction Index editorial, that “81% of the 500,000 people who are exposed to silica dust at work, are employed in the construction industry.”
II’s estimated that in the USA, around 2.2 million workers are exposed, with 1.85 million of them in construction.
There are three main types of construction dust …all are harmful to health:
Research carried out in both the UK and the US showed that long term exposure to this type of dust can produce chronic lung conditions.
OSHA estimated that approximately 1.85 million workers are currently exposed to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in construction workplaces. More than 500,000 of these workers are likely being exposed to silica levels greater than OSHA’s proposed permissible exposure limit.
The main dust-related diseases affecting construction workers are:
In a recent five-year period, China recorded more than 500,000 cases of silicosis with around 6,000 new cases and more than 24,000 deaths each year.
Studies have shown that personnel cleaning booths are 10x more effective at dust removal compared to hand vacuum or manual brushing of personnel protective equipment (PPE).
The booth has been designed with safety as a prime consideration. It uses high-volume low-pressure air to safely capture dust and debris as opposed to compressed air, which is highly dangerous and banned in the USA. The JetBlack Safety range is OSHA compliant.
Lafarge Cement, Tarmac, Hanson, Bosch & Siemens to name but a few.
Within a 20-30 second time frame, workers can enter the cleaning booth and clean-down; reducing dust exposure and cross-contamination.
The booth has been designed by our engineering team who combines extensive knowledge and technical expertise in dust extraction, fans and air movement. JetBlack Safety Booth is the ideal solution for the construction industry as well as quarrying, fibre moulding, wood and paper mills, textiles and many more.
For full details, please visit the Cleaning Booth product page.