Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) - Health Surveillance and Exposure Control
Introduction
Silica a natural substance found in most rocks, sand and clay
and in products such as bricks and concrete. In the workplace these
materials create dust when they are cut or sanded. Some of this
dust may be fine enough to breathe deeply into the lungs and cause
harm to health. The fine dust is called respirable crystalline
silica (RCS).
RCS exposure occurs across a wide range of industries, including
brickmaking, stone masonry, quarrying, foundries and construction,
and is the biggest risk to workers in these industries after
asbestos.
HSE estimates that around 500 deaths occur every year in Great
Britain as a result of workplace exposures to RCS.
Whilst silicosis is the disease most commonly associated with
exposure to RCS, other conditions including Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may also develop.
Because of these health risks, workers exposed to RCS may need
to undergo periodic health surveillance, to confirm that they are
healthy and ensure that they remain healthy. This surveillance is
sometimes required by law. In 2016, HSE updated its guidance and
advice about health surveillance for workers exposed to RCS.
This one-day course will introduce delegates to the topic,
explain why RCS is an issue, give an overview of current practice
and explain how things are changing in relation to health
surveillance, particularly in light of the most recent HSE
guidance. It will also provide information about controlling RCS
exposures in the workplace.
The course will be delivered by medical and scientific experts
who are highly knowledgeable about RCS-related health problems and
have real world experience in helping workplaces where exposure
carries a significant health risk.
Learning outcomes
Delegates will be provided with information that will help them
to:
- Understand how RCS can harm the lungs
- Know how to monitor the health of workers cost effectively
- Know how to set up and run a health surveillance programme and
how to include health issues in their risk assessments
- Understand how to reduce exposure to RCS in their workplace and
the role that occupational hygienists play in protecting worker
health
What the course will cover
This course provides a background to silica, silicosis and other
related breathing problems, explains how to reduce RCS exposure in
the workplace and looks at the selection, use and maintenance of
exposure controls. Delegates will learn what's new with regards to
the periodic health surveillance for RCS-exposed workers and
examine the role of exposure monitoring in protecting worker
health. Delegates will study the use of questionnaires, the use of
lung function testing and the use of chest X-rays and what to do if
a chest X-ray is found to be abnormal.
Who should attend?
This course is aimed at healthcare professionals i.e. doctors
and nurses who are responsible for groups of workers exposed to
RCS. Occupational health technicians and health and safety
professionals may also find this course relevant to their role.
Venue
The course will be run at the HSE Science and Research
Centre in the spa town of Buxton.
Buxton is in the heart of the Peak District and has good links
to major roads and motorways, mainline train stations and
Manchester International Airport.
Details of hotels in the Buxton area can be found at www.visitbuxton.co.uk
Price
£545 per person (includes course notes, lunch and
refreshments).
Please note that all courses must be paid for via credit
card at the time of booking.
Some of our training courses can also be delivered
in-company, please contact us to discuss your requirements.
Email: HSEtraining@hse.gov.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)203 028 3704
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