Hire and Rental News - February 2019

INDUSTRY IN FOCUS How rental companies can tackle the increasing silica dust crisis With worldwide regulations now in place significantly limiting exposure to silica dust, rental companies have a large role to play in providing protection for exposed workers. But what is silicosis and how can the rental industry play its part? We look into the issue to discover the hire industry’s role. T here is a health crisis occurring worldwide with medical practitioners referring to it as the worst occupational lung disease crisis since the peak of the asbestos disaster, and the hire industry needs to be at the forefront of providing protection for exposed workers. What is silicosis? Accelerated silicosis is an aggressive, irreversible and incurable form of lung disease caused by breathing in unsafe levels of silica dust, which can scar lungs and cause them to stiffen. Silica is contained in construction materials such as concrete, bricks, tiles, sandstone and granite and particularly in engineered stone (a composite material made of crushed stone bound together by an adhesive) common in kitchen benchtops. Silica dust is generated in workplace mechanical processes such as crushing, cutting, drilling, grinding, sawing or polishing of natural stone or man-made products that contain silica. Some dust particles can be so small they are not visible; these are commonly referred to as respirable particles. Respirable silica dust particles are small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs and can cause irreversible lung damage. According to the Cancer Council, exposure to silica dust can lead to the development of lung cancer, silicosis, kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is estimated 230 people develop lung cancer each year as a result of past exposure to silica dust at work. Not all exposed workers will develop cancer; cancer risk increases with long term or repeated high level exposure. Silicosis causes shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and a severe cough. But symptoms often do not present in the early stages of the disease, so it can go undetected for years. There are three common types of silicosis: • Chronic – occurs after at least 10 years of exposure; • Accelerated – results from higher exposure levels and 5–10 years of exposure; • Acute – develops from weeks or months of very high exposure. The Cancer Council said approximately 587,000 Australian workers were exposed to silica dust in the workplace in 2011. It has been estimated 5758 of these will develop a lung cancer over the course of their life as a result of that exposure. If suitable control measures are not in place, anyone working around silica dust has an increased risk of developing lung cancer. What can we do? While hire yard employees may themselves not be exposed to silica dust, there is a very good chance many hire businesses are renting equipment that can create silica dust on a job site. This means, there is opportunity for those rental businesses to provide customers with information and education around the dangers, as well the necessary equipment to control dust. Reducing the airborne concentration of silica dust or respirable silica is more effective than simply relying on respiratory protective equipment. Control measures, some more cost effective and practical for certain situations than others, include: • Stopping or reducing the dust (such as concrete saws with a built-in system to apply water to the saw blade to limit the amount of silica that gets into the air); • Controlling the dust (eg: vacuum dust collection and appropriate ventilation); • Control options for power tools. Construction workers can limit their exposure to silica dust by wearing protective masks and using tools which collect dust. Wetting down tools and materials can also help supress dust particles, and vacuuming is recommended over sweeping while cleaning up. (In Queensland, ‘dry cutting’ engineered stone is banned due to the dangerous level of dust it releases. But the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) wants the technique banned in all states.) Health alert WorkSafe Queensland In September 2018, WorkSafe Queensland issued a health alert regarding silica dust which included the following actions to be taken by anyone working where silica dust may be found. The alert said (www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/ injury-prevention-safety/alerts/ whsq/2018/prevent-exposure- to-silica-for-engineered-stone- benchtop-workers): Persons conducting a business or undertaking must not allow uncontrolled dry cutting, grinding or polishing of artificial / engineered stone bench tops. Engineering controls • Water suppression of dust: For example direct water feeds on cutting or grinding equipment, and sheet wetting using consistent and adequate water flows over the stone slab; • Use local exhaust ventilation (LEV): This includes only using cutting or grinding equipment when the LEV: - is part of the equipment design; - is fitted to the individual equipment where dust is generated; - includes an H class dust collector or vacuum; - uses designed hoods or extraction machines. Cleaning and maintenance of LEV fitted equipment must not expose workers to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). • Wet dust slurry management: Wet spray must be controlled to prevent it becoming airborne. Spray can be controlled by using guards, plastic flaps and brush guarding. Wet waste, contaminated surfaces and contaminated garments must be effectively managed; • Whole of workplace ventilation: For example extraction systems. However silica dust must not be allowed to transfer from where it is generated; • Cleaning: Workplaces must have a dedicated regular cleaning regime. Silica dust is generated in workplace mechanical processes such as crushing, cutting, drilling, grinding, sawing or polishing of natural stone or man-made products that contain silica Silicosis causes shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and a severe cough, but symptoms often do not present in the early stages of the disease P16 HIRE AND RENTAL NEWS FEBRUARY 2019