Managing Risk Assessments and COSHH Assessments

One of the principal responsibilities of managers and supervisors is to ensure that suitable risk assessments and COSHH assessments are completed before hazardous work begins.

Managers must make sure that assessments are:

• Suitable and sufficient for the work being undertaken.
• Specific to the materials, equipment and working conditions.
• Kept up to date and reviewed when circumstances change.
• Clearly communicated to affected workers.
• Implemented and followed on site.

It is not enough for an assessment to exist only on paper. Managers must check that workers understand the risks, know which control measures are required and follow the agreed safe system of work.

Providing Suitable Dust-Control Equipment

Managers and supervisors must ensure that the correct dust-control equipment is available, suitable for the task and in good working order.

Depending on the work, this may include:

• On-tool dust extraction that captures dust at its source.
• Suitable M-class or H-class dust extractors, as identified by the risk assessment.
• Water-suppression or wet-cutting systems.
• Local exhaust ventilation.
• Suitable respiratory protective equipment.

Equipment must be appropriate for the material, the task and the expected level of exposure. Ordinary domestic vacuum cleaners are not suitable for collecting hazardous construction dust.

Supervising and Monitoring Dust-Control Measures

Regular supervision is necessary to make sure that workers use silica dust controls correctly. Managers should monitor working practices and intervene immediately when controls are missing, defective or incorrectly used.

Managers and supervisors must check that:

• Dust-extraction equipment is connected and operating correctly.
• Water-suppression systems are used where specified.
• Workers wear suitable RPE whenever it is required.
• Workers carry out pre-use checks on their equipment.
• Unsafe practices, such as uncontrolled dry cutting and dry sweeping, do not occur.

Routine inspections and unannounced spot checks can help identify unsafe practices and confirm that the required controls are being followed.

Inspecting and Maintaining Dust-Control Equipment

Dust-control equipment must be inspected and maintained so that it continues to provide effective protection. Managers should make sure that maintenance is completed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the workplace's control procedures.

Items requiring routine checks may include:

• Dust-extraction units.
• Filters and dust-collection bags.
• Extraction hoses and connections.
• Water supplies and suppression systems.
• Respirators, filters and other RPE components.

A damaged hose, blocked filter or poorly maintained respirator can significantly reduce protection, even when the equipment appears to be operating.

Defective equipment should be removed from use, clearly identified and repaired or replaced before the dusty work continues.

Maintaining Good Workplace Housekeeping

Effective housekeeping is an important part of controlling silica and construction dust. Work areas should be kept clean, waste should be handled safely and settled dust should be removed using suitable methods.

Safe housekeeping methods may include:

• Using a suitable industrial dust extractor.
• Damping down dust before it is removed.
• Placing dusty waste directly into suitable bags or containers.
• Preventing dust from being carried into clean areas.
• Cleaning work clothing and equipment using safe methods.

Dry sweeping and the use of compressed air can make settled dust airborne again and should be avoided. Good housekeeping reduces workers' exposure and prevents hazardous dust from spreading across the site.

Establishing Dust Exclusion Zones

Managers should establish exclusion zones, barriers or restricted areas around tasks that create significant amounts of dust.

Warning signs should be displayed where appropriate, and access should be limited to workers who are trained, authorised and properly protected.

Keeping unnecessary people away from dusty work reduces exposure throughout the site, including exposure affecting other trades, contractors and visitors.

Providing Training and Instruction

Managers and supervisors must make sure workers receive suitable information, instruction and training before they undertake work that could expose them to silica dust.

Workers should know how to:

• Recognise materials and tasks that may generate silica dust.
• Use on-tool extraction and water-suppression systems correctly.
• Put on, check and use their RPE properly.
• Carry out a pre-use seal check on tight-fitting RPE.
• Recognise when dust-control equipment is not working effectively.
• Report defective equipment, unsafe practices and health concerns.

Workers using tight-fitting RPE must also have passed a face-fit test for the particular make, model, type and size of respirator provided.

Responding to Respiratory Symptoms and Health Surveillance Findings

Managers must take reports of respiratory symptoms and relevant health-surveillance findings seriously. Possible warning signs may include persistent coughing, breathlessness, wheezing or chest tightness.

Where a concern is identified, managers should:

• Follow the advice of the competent occupational health professional.
• Review the worker's duties and potential exposure.
• Examine the relevant risk assessments and control measures.
• Check whether other workers may have been similarly exposed.
• Introduce any additional controls required to prevent further harm.

Confidential medical information must be handled appropriately. Managers should act on occupational health advice and review workplace controls without attempting to diagnose the worker themselves.

Taking Immediate Action When Controls Fail

If dust-control measures are missing, defective or ineffective, the affected work should be stopped until suitable controls have been restored.

Managers and supervisors should never allow production pressures or deadlines to override silica dust controls. Failing to address unsafe working practices can expose workers to permanent illness and may result in enforcement action or other legal consequences.

Good on-site management turns written safety procedures into effective protection for workers.