BUSINESS SUPPORT HEALTH & SAFETY
The latest news and updates on health and safety in construction to keep you and your workforce safe on site HEALTH SAFETY &
Support your staff this Stoptober The East Guildford Primary Care Network (PCN) is gearing up for Stoptober, a national campaign during October to help people quit smoking. Your company can support staff who are looking to kick the habit. The Stoptober campaign offers resources and tools to make quitting smoking easier. Participants are encouraged to go tobacco-free for 28 days, as this significantly increases the chances of quitting for good. Why support the campaign? Smoking is a major health risk, impacting personal wellbeing and productivity. By encouraging your team to participate in Stoptober, you can contribute to a healthier workforce and potentially reduce absenteeism due to smoking- related illnesses. How can you help? ● Raise awareness – share information about Stoptober with your employees on notice boards and in company communications. ● Offer support – tell employees you support their efforts to quit smoking and consider flexible work arrangements during the quitting period.
A new study has linked a potentially fatal lung disease, silicosis, to the cutting of artificial stone for kitchens, but the government has said it will not ban the material. Breathing in the fine dust produced by cutting the artificial stone is what increases the risk of contracting silicosis, which is similar to asbestosis. The study, which was published in Thorax medical journal, analysed eight cases of silicosis in people in the UK, all of whom were younger than 34. Of the eight, one person died and two might need lung transplants. Medical researchers studying the topic have warned that silicosis cases are likely to increase due to the rising use of engineered stone. Similar health concerns led to Australia banning the artificial stone in July, but the UK Government has said it will not take similar action after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advised that a total ban is not required. Reduce your risk An HSE spokesperson told inews , the online publication for The Independent : “We continue to work with industry to raise awareness of managing the risks of exposure to respirable crystalline silica and we are considering options for future interventions to ensure workers are protected.” Deadly lung disease on the rise
To lower your risk of contracting silicosis, you should try to decrease your exposure to silica dust by: ● Limiting time spent working with artificial stone ● Working in a way that reduces the generation of airborne dust ● Swapping materials that contains silica for other non-silica types ● Wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) such as respirators to protect you from inhaling silica and coveralls to keep the dust off the clothes you wear home ● Washing your hands and face before you eat ● Not eating or drinking near silica dust.
Scan the QR code for Stoptober resources.
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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