Combatting the dangers of airborne dust

Industries that processing dusty materials are becoming increasingly targeted and scrutinised by inspections. There is a real health and safety driver behind this. The smallest particles – those as small as 10 micrometres in diameter – find their way deep into lungs where they gradually cause long-term damage. 

Smoking is often seen as the most prominent cause of long-term lung damage and the development of COPDs (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases), but inhalation of workplace dust is another contributory cause that should not be dismissed.

Risk to my business

Simply put, past employers will be liable if one of their previous employees develop a COPD. Future claims will assess whether your work environment was a health hazard and contributing factor to the development of COPDs.

Similar to conditions like Asbestosis, contracting COPD is a gradual process and symptoms can take more than a decade to develop. The way some businesses dealt with asbestosis is also an appropriate warning for how serious ignoring airborne dust can be.

There are many high-profile asbestosis lawsuits with many solicitors having departments set up specifically tasked to deal with asbestosis compensation claims; such is their number and high success rate. Some companies were financially ruined by claims made against them for asbestosis. Your duty of care to your employees takes the highest priority but by ignoring airborne dust you are also risking your company’s financial future.

How can I resolve this?

There are some immediate steps you can take to reduce and eliminate the risk of dust becoming airborne including:

•  Localised dust collection – this can begin to address issue from source

•  Replace products where possible – switch from solvent-based to water-based

However, in many processes, dust easily becomes airborne due to the machinery involved. This includes vehicle movements, tippers, conveyor belts and open process areas. Therefore, to ensure you are creating the safest possible work environment for your employees and safeguarding the financial future of your business, it is worth investing in a dust suppression system.  

Renby believes the most effective of these to suppress dust is a fogging system. Nozzles can be placed around a dust source e.g. a reception hopper and provide a curtain of fog that contains the dust. Alternatively, you can fit a roof mounted system to provide general suppression.

Airborne dust is serious business – you need to be aware of its dangers and how they can affect you and your employees. The impact airborne dust can have on your business is a risk even the largest of companies cannot take. Luckily, the tools and advice to prepare yourself for these dangers have never been easier to access and implement. Information and advice on dust suppression and solutions is available on the Renby website.