Course description
Construction workers have a heightened risk of being exposed to silica, a natural substance found in the dust generated from drilling rocks, sand and clay.
The Health and Safety Executive has stated that respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is therefore the biggest risk to workers after asbestos, with estimates of death from exposure ranging from hundreds to thousands per year. With increasing claims in the USA, and other notable international cases, now is the time for industrial disease lawyers to bring themselves up to speed with the legal implications of these findings.
Barrister Helen Pagett presents this concise and informative webinar which considers whether RCS dust is the next asbestos.
Upcoming start dates
Outcome / Qualification etc.
Training Course Content
Introduction
Silica is a natural substance found in most rocks, sand and clay. It is a constituent of many construction materials such as bricks and concrete. During construction, activities such as drilling, generate a dust - respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
The Health and Safety Executive state that silica is the biggest risk to construction workers after asbestos, with estimates of death from exposure ranging from hundreds to thousands per year.
In March 2020 the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Respiratory Health, produced a report entitled: ‘Silica - the next asbestos?’ The report called for various changes to the industry and making silicosis a reportable disease.
With increasing claims in the USA and notable international cases this webinar considers whether RCS dust is the next asbestos.
What You Will Learn
This webinar will cover the following:
- What is silica?
- What is RCS - including which industries are workers most at risk of being exposed
- Conditions that arise from RCS exposure including silicosis, COPD and lung cancer
- Summary of HSE concerns
- Review of the work of APPG
- Informal register of silicosis
- How a claim could be brought, common law and statutory breaches:
- Grinding of Metals (Miscellaneous Industries) Regulations 1925
- Factories Act 1937/Factories Act 1961
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations
- Likely experts needed: respiratory physician and occupational health experts
- Discussion of the need for international experts (including on law) in certain claims
- Discussion of historical disease, but also recent claims:
- international claims brought against UK companies and insurers (South African gold mines)
- Fracking - risks of exposure to RCS highlighted
Expenses
MBL Seminars Limited
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