What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a type of lung disease, which can develop due to the inhalation of crystalline silica dust, normally over a long duration of time.

Silica is a naturally occurring substance, present in certain types of rock, clay or stone sand. It can, however, cause serious harm to your health if it enters your system.

Those most at risk of developing silicosis are those who people who work in industries that use materials containing silica. Therefore, stonemasons, construction and demolition site workers, worktop manufacturers and fitters, pottery, ceramic and glass manufacturer, miners and sandblasters are in at-risk professions over a long period of exposure.

After silica dust has entered the lungs, it can lead to swelling and inflammation, resulting in hardening and scarring of the lung tissue. Scarred lung tissue caused by the dust prevents the lung from properly functioning, which may lead to further medical conditions.

According to existing information, symptoms of can silicosis may develop over the course of many years, and problems may not become apparent until some time has passed after the sufferer ceased working around silica dust.

Symptoms of Silicosis

Silicosis presents itself with three main forms of symptoms:

Persistent cough
Persistent shortness of breath
Tiredness/Weakness

Silicosis generally develops after ten to twenty years of exposure to silica dust, though heavy exposure can lead to this manifesting sooner. Even if you have long ceased to be exposed to the sources of the dust, symptoms can still worsen.

Further problems

Silicosis can be fatal if complications develop or the lungs cease to function. It can also increase the likelihood of developing other conditions, such as:

Treatment

Silicosis currently has no cure, as the damage caused to the lungs is irreversible. There are, however, treatments available, which can help to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.

Long-term oxygen therapy is an option if sufferers have breathing difficulties or suffer from low blood oxygen levels. Bronchodilator medicines can be prescribed to widen the airways and make it easier to breathe.

Bacterial chest infections may be alleviated by antibiotics. In extreme cases, a lung transplant may be necessary, but this will only be a consideration subject to strict health requirements.

Prevention

Although Silicosis is incurable, it is preventable. It is the employer’s duty to ensure that workers are protected from prolonged exposure to silica dust, in order to reduce the risk of adverse health conditions.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 must be adhered to by workplaces in the UK to limit exposure to silica dust.

These regulations demand that employers must warn workers of any potential health risks, ensuring that employees are aware of the correct safety procedures to reduce the risk of expose, and ensure that employees have the necessary protection.

The law surrounding industrial disease

Silicosis can be considered an industrial disease, as it is often caused due to the nature of an individual’s work or environment. In the UK, laws and regulations exist to ensure that employers keep their staff safe and minimise such risks to health.

In the event of developing a disease through work, such as silicosis, an employee may be entitled to compensation, as regulations and duty of care may have been breached by the employer in the process.

Statute determines that employers have a number of legal obligations, as well as a common law duty to ensure a safe workplace and working practices.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health 2002

Required to assess health risk where work is liable to expose employees to substances hazardous to health (Reg. 6)
Ensure exposure to substances hazardous to health is either prevented, or where not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled (Reg. 7)
Ensure any employee exposed to substances hazardous to health are monitored and under suitable health surveillance (Reg. 11)

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

Employers have a duty so far as is reasonably practicable to ensure the safety and welfare of their employees.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

Duty to undertake a reasonable risk assessment (Reg. 3)
Requirement to undertake a health surveillance (Reg. 6)

Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

Ensure that suitable personal equipment is provided (Reg. 4)
Ensure an assessment of any personal protective equipment is undertaken to determine whether it is suitable.