The Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (CSPAC) has launched Construction Safety Week 2018.

Starting on Monday 22 October, the scheme will see a range of organised initiatives aimed at promoting construction health and safety.

As part of the awareness campaign Health and Safety Authority inspectors will be visiting sites across the country to ensure workers are not exposed to dangerous substances. These include silica dust, asbestos and chemical products used in construction.

• Exposure to silica dust can occur anywhere that concrete, stone or sand based materials are being used. If silica dust is inhaled it can cause lung damage.

• Asbestos containing materials can be present in buildings constructed or refurbished prior to 2000, after which its use was banned. Asbestos only becomes hazardous when disturbed and its fibres are released into the air. If inhaled, asbestos fibres may lead to asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma.

-- Advertisement --

• Inspectors will also be gathering information on what chemical products are being used on sites such as epoxy resins, solvent based paints and foams. They will be ensuring that appropriate controls are in place and that safety information is available, such as hazard labels and safety data sheets.

Michael McDonagh, Senior Construction Inspector with the HSA, said: "Exposure to hazardous substances in construction, usually through inhalation or skin contact, can lead to a variety of negative health implications from minor irritation to cancer. Very often symptoms are not immediately obvious so it is important that employers are aware of their responsibilities in relation to their employee's health. Prevention is the best strategy so it is essential that there is an awareness of the dangers and that appropriate control measures are put in place. These include using less harmful materials, local exhaust ventilation, using water to suppress dusts and providing suitable Respiratory Protection Equipment (RPE)."

Construction Safety Week 2018 is held in conjunction with a range of partners including the CIF, ESB and other organisations involved with the CSPAC. This week CSPAC members will organise safety initiatives that include promotional videos, social media campaigns and training workshops.

Further information on CSPAC member activities for safety week is available at cif.ie/safety-week/.

(CM/MH)