Silica is a common material, frequently found on construction sites.
It’s present in many building materials, including soil, sand, concrete, masonry, rock, granite and other landscaping materials.
Silica dust is created when these materials are disturbed. That often means cutting, grinding or drilling, which causes small particles to disperse and become airborne.
Unfortunately, when this happens, it presents a serious health and safety risk to anyone working in the vicinity.
Health Effects
People who breathe in silica particles for an extended time period are at serious risk of developing a number of health problems.
In fact, every year 1000 workers die in the United Kingdom due to exposure to silica dust over an extended period.
The issues that silica dust causes can include cancer of the long and airways, silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Silicosis is a condition caused by inhalation of silica dust over an extended period.
It involves accumulated crystalline silica particles in the lungs, which then causes an inflammatory reaction. This can lead to scarring and damage in the lungs.
Silicosis can progress to cause disability, and even death.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a grouping of lung diseases, including bronchitis and emphysema.
COPD can cause severe breathlessness, prolonged coughing and chronic disability. These diseases cause thousands of deaths around the world, every year.
Sadly, many are due to unsafe exposure to silica dust.
Combat it With a Professional Sweep and Scrub
The best way to deal with silica dust is to ensure it is swiftly and thoroughly removed from your worksite. That will neutralise the danger quickly.
And the best way to deal with dust is to hire a professional sweep and scrub contractor.
With our cutting-edge ride-on vehicles, we’ll safely and thoroughly sweep and scrub your construction site.
We’ll grab virtually all dangerous particles, helping to keep your staff safe on site.
To schedule a sweep and scrub for your construction site, get in touch with Sydney Sweep and Scrub here.
