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The Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is set to carry out 500 inspection visits to construction sites across Northern Ireland to raise awareness of the dangers of silica.

Inspectors will also be providing advice on how to protect employees from exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which is the second biggest health risk to construction workers after asbestos.

Silica is a naturally occurring mineral found in varying amounts in most rock, sand and clay as well as in bricks and concrete. Silica dust is created during many common construction tasks, such as cutting, sanding or grinding of silica-containing materials such as concrete, mortar and sandstone. Some of this dust is fine enough to reach deep inside the lungs and cause serious harm to health.

Richard Meredith, principal inspector of HSENI’s construction group said: “Inspectors will be visiting construction sites to ensure that workers are being protected from long-term health problems.

“Our campaign will focus on exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). We aim to raise awareness of the health risks of exposure to RCS which can cause diseases such as lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

“Employers and the self-employed must ensure that the long-term health risks to their employees and to themselves from exposure to silica dust have been considered and that suitable control measures are in place.”

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