The document highlights the high rates of occupational lung disease and fatal injuries in the UK construction industry, which comprises 5% of the workforce but accounts for 31% of workplace fatalities. Key health risks include exposure to silica dust, asbestos, wood dust, and diesel emissions, leading to significant cases of respiratory illnesses and cancers. It emphasizes the need for employers to take proactive measures, including implementing management standards, sharing best practices, and collaborating with various organizations to protect workers' health.

1. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry

2. On Sunday 13th April 2014 there was a two page spread in
the Observer about health and safety in the construction
industry in the UK

3. On the next day this happened …….

5. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
42 fatal injuries
to workers in
Construction in
2013/14

6. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
5% of the
employees in
Britain but 31%
of fatal injuries
at work

7. But accident statistics
don’t tell the full story

8. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Construction workers are also exposed to
hazards at work that can affect their health

9. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Over 500 workers
believed to die
from exposure to
silica dust every
year

10. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
About 5 500 new
occupational
cancer cases in
construction every
year

11. 99%
health
Approx 13,000 died from work related disease
148 workers died in accidents at work

12. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
76 000 cases of
work-related ill
health

13. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
What are the causes?

14. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Many materials used in the construction industry
contain crystalline silica
Regular exposure to high levels of dust containing
respirable crystalline silica can cause silicosis and
lung cancer

15. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Although the use of asbestos has been
banned in the UK, asbestos is still present in
many buildings constructed before the 1980’s

16. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
All types of wood dust can cause occupational
asthma and to many hard wood dusts can also
cause nasal cancer

17. 6 to 7% of cases of cancer in
construction are due to painting

18. Stick Welding
Welders are at risk of developing asthma,
lung cancer and other respiratory diseases

19. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Diesel exhaust emissions have been
classified as human carcinogens

20. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
What can we do to
reduce the risks to
health?

21. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Employers have the key role to play in
minimising health risks at work.

22. BOHS is an organisation devoted to
protecting the health of people at work

23. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry

24. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
The ‘voice’ for
worker health
protection

25. Occupational Hygienists have
the knowledge and skills to
help employers find solutions

26. We can’t do this on our own!
So, we’re working with other
organisations that are taking
initiatives to reduce ill health
in the construction industry

27. A BOHS led initiative to reduce respiratory
disease in the construction industry
www.breathefreely.org.uk

28. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
BOHS
Media
partners
Construction
companies
Trade Unions
Trades
associations
Construction
clients
Other
professional
bodies
HSE
Relevant
charities
Politicians
Commercial
providers

29. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry

30. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Partners
Supporters

31. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
What’s
needed?
Good
Business Case
Management
Standard
Case Studies
&
Good Practice
Information
Hub

32. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Web based
information hub
www.breathefreely.org.uk

33. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry

34. A management standard developed to help ensure
health hazards arising from the construction industry
are identified, assessed and managed in order to
prevent or reduce the risk to worker health.

35. Fact sheets highlight the main hazards,
highest risks and preferred control options for
all the key construction trades

38. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Construction Managers Toolkit

39. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
Birmingham – One day Conference
10th November 2015
Regional meetings
• Glasgow
• London
• Northwest

40. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
What can you do?
Sign-up to the Management
Standard

41. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
What can you do?
Become an official campaign
supporter

42. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
What can you do?
Help us develop materials
with case studies and good
practice examples

43. www.breathefreely.org.uk www.bohs.org
Controlling Exposures to
Prevent occupational lung disease
in the construction industry
What can you do?
Spread the word

44. so, the question is…
do you breathe freely?

45. Join us and be part of the solution
www.breathefreely.org.uk