Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest union, has today launched an
online register to allow workers who have been exposed to silica
dust to register their exposure, to assist with potential future
legal cases if they experience long term health problems.
Silica dust (respirable crystalline silica) is created
when cutting, grinding, drilling or polishing, natural substances
such as rocks and sand and is also a major constituent in bricks,
tiles, concrete and materials. ...Request free trial
Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest union, has today launched
an online register to allow workers who have been exposed to silica
dust to register their exposure, to assist with potential future
legal cases if they experience long term health
problems.
Silica dust (respirable
crystalline
silica) is
created when cutting, grinding, drilling or polishing, natural
substances such as rocks and sand and is also a major constituent
in bricks, tiles, concrete and materials.
Industries where workers are potentially exposed to
silica include: mining, quarrying, foundries, potteries, ceramics,
glass manufacturing, stonemasonry, construction and industries
using silica flour.
Inhaling large amounts of silica dust over a long
period can cause silicosis a serious respiratory disease; it can
also lead to other potentially fatal illnesses including lung
cancer, tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Exposure to silica has also been linked to other illnesses such as
kidney disease and other cancers.
The symptoms of silicosis take many years to develop,
making a register even more important to identify when and where
workers were exposed. The symptoms of silicosis include: shortness
of breath, severe cough, fatigue, loss of appetite, chest pains and
fever.
It is the employers’ responsibility to prevent workers
from being exposed to silica dust; this should be by removing the
risk, using dust suppression measures or by issuing the appropriate
personal protective equipment (PPE) such as properly fitting masks
in order to prevent exposure.
Unite has
produced a short film to explain about the register and the dangers
of breathing in silica dust to accompany the launch of the
register.
Unite national health and safety advisor Bud Hudspith
said: “The Unite silica register is an important
step to help members provide evidence for possible future
claims.
“Silica exposure can have long-term serious
health consequences for workers, but simple measures can prevent
the health of workers being damaged.
“Unfortunately many employers remain willing to
play fast and loose with the health of their
workers.
“Unite’s primary aim is to ensure employers
prevent silicosis and lung cancer through the removal or strict
control of silica dust.”
The silica register was developed in Unite’s south east
region, where members of the union employed at Prysmian Cables in
Hampshire which is a world leader in cable production, raised
concerns about the long-term welfare of fellow
workers.
Michael Hobbs, Unite’s senior steward at Prysmian
Cables said: “The silica register is long overdue;
the threat of exposure is a millstone round the necks of workers in
many different sectors.
“Educating and warning workers about the
dangers of airborne dust will undoubtedly save lives, so credit
should be given to everyone behind launching this much needed
campaign.”
The silica exposure register can be found online.
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