Respirable dust can be defined as the fraction of inhaled dust particles which penetrate to the unciliated airways, into the area of the lung where gas exchange occurs (the alveolar region). The respirable fraction can vary between individuals and will also depend on the breathing rate of the person; however, the particle sizes of respirable dust are generally up to 10 microns in diameter.

Health effects of respirable dusts can range from mild irritation to sensitisation and even severe cancers of the naso-pharynx and lung. Those working in the construction industry can be exposed to a variety of respirable dusts including cement dust, wood dust, crystalline silica in sand, and cobalt from masonry drill bits.

Employer’s Legal Responsibilities

Employers’ responsibilities, as contained in the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents, 2020, include the following:

• Assessing which Hazardous Chemical Agents (HCA), including dusts, an employee may be exposed to (including the type of HCA, potential health effects, location, and physical form, route of intake, and extent of exposure)
• Ensuring that air monitoring is carried out by an approved inspection authority (AIA), on any ‘exposed employee/s’
• Ensuring that all employees are adequately informed, instructed, and trained on Hazardous Chemical Agents (including details of the HCA to which employees are exposed, e.g., type of HCA and health effects; duties of exposed employees; and the necessity and proper use of control measures, including PPE and engineering controls.
• Provision of medical surveillance for all ‘exposed’ workers
• Ensuring that employee exposure to HCAs has been adequately controlled to as low as reasonably practicable, by limiting or substituting the HCA used; introducing engineering controls; and implementing workplace procedures for the safe handling, use, transportation, spillage clean-up, and disposal of HCAs.

How Apex Environmental can help:

It can be difficult and time consuming to navigate the legal responsibilities of an employer. We here at Apex Environmental have been helping companies with this, as well as ensuring employees’ health is protected, since 1992.

We will help you identify the type/s, source/s, and extent of exposure to respirable dusts on your site, by undertaking a site-specific Risk Assessment and personal Air Monitoring. Air Monitoring results will then be compared to the respective Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) for dusts measured.

Having a wealth of experience in a variety of industries means our team of experts will be able to provide recommendations to reduce the exposure to respirable dusts measured and ensure that employee health is protected and your legal obligations fulfilled.

By Garth Holdsworth, Occupational Hygienist

Should you require any assistance or further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us on any of the following:

Contact us:
Tel: +27 31 914 1004
Website: www.apexenviro.co.za
Email: info@apexenviro.co.za
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/apex-environmental-cc/