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Executive Report : Cut down dust problems

Hire industry representatives are among organisations working with the HSE to reduce dust hazards associated with using cut-off saws. Nigel Strickland reports.

The cut-off saw is one of the workhorses of nearly every tool hire fleet. Used by utilities, house builders, civil engineers and refurbishment contractors, the clouds of airborne dust are evidence of their everyday use in all aspects of construction. Importantly, too, the use of cut-off saws straddles three strands of Health & Safety legislation, regarding HAV, noise at work and the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).

New research highlighted the risks of exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), and Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance in the form of its Silica Essentials document was introduced to aid employers reduce exposure. Awareness of the associated occupational health risks, is rapidly gaining amongst a wider construction audience. Old habits die hard, but a recent HSE strategy seems to have kick-started real changes in working practice and attitudes, which could have a significant impact for the hire industry.

Clear evidence has existed for many years that everyday construction tasks involving the cutting of kerbs, paviors, bricks and blocks are potential sources of RCS and that this can carry an increased risk of developing silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and, possibly, even a link to lung cancer. The scale of possible exposure was highlighted in the UK Labour Force Survey of spring 2005, which suggested that nearly 19,000 road construction workers were frequently exposed on a daily basis to RCS resulting from kerb and material cutting activities. It also established that an additional 110,000 workers are exposed to RCS on a weekly basis. The degree of exposure is varied, although studies from 1997 indicate that, during concrete cutting work, operators can be exposed to between 0.17-8.3mg/m-3 of RCS.

Given the potential degree and frequency of exposure, combined with the introduction in 2006 of the Health & Safety Commission’s new RCS Working Exposure Limit (WEL) of 0.1 mg/m-3, an initiative to change working practices from the design stage right through to on-site work methods was clearly called for. In January 2007, the HSE initiated the creation of a working group known as the Project for Reducing Respiratory Disease in Kerb, Paving and Block Cutting. It comprised key stakeholders within the supply chain, including representatives of the construction and civil engineering industry, local authorities, the Highways Agency, Transport for London, kerb manufacturers and, significantly, the hire industry. It was considered vital to accommodate the specific issues relevant to each stakeholder. Consequently, various sub-groups were formed, including a Tool Design and Equipment Supply group (TDES), comprising representatives from national and independent hire companies, tool and equipment manufacturers and HAE.

Establishing practical measures

With a target of securing good practice within 80% of the construction industry by 2009, the Project began by establishing practical measures that would be used and understood by workers involved in the actual cutting tasks, to be followed by a campaign communicating these initiatives to industry in 2008 (It should be noted that, even with the new WEL, the residual risk from RCS requires further reduction to exposure, until cost becomes disproportionate). Examples of the new best practices established by the working group suggested that, where possible, the use of cut-off saws should be avoided by designing-out the need for materials to be cut, or installing plastic as opposed to concrete kerbs. However, it was recognised that cutting materials cannot be avoided in many cases, and where this occurred, specific action was needed to mitigate the inherent risks of RCS exposure.

A key issue considered by the TDES was dust suppression using pressurised water bottles. The group was able to call on a survey of HAE members regarding the hiring of water suppression bottles in conjunction with cut-off saws. Results suggested that approximately 50,000 cut-off saws were available within the hire industry, of which the vast majority had attachments for connections to a water hose or, a pressurised water bottle. They also suggested that only 2,000 pressurised water bottles were available nationally and that demand was minimal. Opinions were sought as to the reason, and HAE members’ responses included: “We would immediately buy as many as we need and supply at a reasonable cost”, and “End users do not understand the issues: they need to be educated; HSE needs to enforce, then demand would grow”.

Regarding the automatic hire of water bottles with cut-off saws, it was clearly felt that this could endanger the supplier/client relationship and that “customers would blame the hire company for trying to make extra money”. It seems clear that, from a hire industry perspective, ramping up the availability of water suppression kits was a straightforward case of supply meeting demand, but this was predicated on demand being driven by the HSE through education of the end user.

As a useful counterpoint to the HAE survey, research carried out in 2007 amongst Construction Federation Members generated interesting findings. One third of respondents indicated water suppression was not routinely used on site, although such equipment was considered simple to use; one fifth indicated respiratory protective equipment (RPE) was not routinely used; and approximately one quarter thought workers did not understand the health (RCS) issues.

Communicating information

Throughout the HSE Project, information and communication between all interested groups has been made effective and simple by the HSE Web Communities site. This combines web-based Group information with email messaging, keeping members updated on urgent or important issues. All project documents, research information and a discussion forum are freely available at http://webcommunities.hse.gov.uk/inovem/inovem.ti

The second element of the HSE strategy required the communication of the required standards via a suitable campaign, and in May this year the Time to Clear the Air campaign was launched. To support the initiative promoting the use of water suppression and RPE, 240,000 leaflets have been distributed along with 1,000 DVDs (which can also be viewed on YouTube) and 3,000 specially produced pavers’ chalks carrying useful information.

The latest evaluation of the working group was held on 16 September. It is clear that the campaign is gaining considerable publicity and that real progress is being achieved regarding good practice. This is evident by a marked increase in sales and use of water bottles, with one supplier reporting a six-fold rise in sales over the previous month. The report also indicated that the Project is becoming integral to various construction associations and there is a tangible improvement in the number of contractors complying with good practice, especially in London.

Important role for hirers

Dr Robert Ellis from the Corporate Specialist Division of HSE’s Chemicals Risk Management Unit told EHN, “HSE is only too aware that the size and diversity of the construction industry means that other organisations are vital to the delivery of Health & Safety information and solutions to these groups. Lord McKenzie, Minister responsible for Health & Safety, commented at a launch event for the project to reduce respiratory disease in kerb, paving and block cutting in May 2008 that ‘hire companies are a good example, they have a very important role to play as a key point of contact for a range of businesses whose operatives are most at risk.’ From the outset of the work it was recognised that the involvement of hire companies, through HAE, would be vital in supporting new initiatives.”

Further work is in progress, with the campaign being publicised through news briefings, meetings and conferences, as well as a promotion with the Highways Agency. The working group will continue to embed the principles of the campaign and further compliance will surely accrue.
In the meantime, an opportunity exists for all hire companies to support the Time to Clear the Air campaign by promoting awareness and application of the Project’s best practices among their customers. •