Hundreds of construction workers in the UK are believed to die each year from exposure to silica dust, with around 600,000 tradespeople facing regular risk at work.
A new awareness campaign launched in Sheffield is drawing attention to the scale of the issue, as calls grow for stronger protections and better prevention across high-risk industries.
The campaign is being led by Arco, a UK-based safety products and services provider, which is working with parliamentarians to push for greater action on occupational lung disease.
‘Silent’ disease affecting hundreds of thousands
Silicosis, a progressive lung disease caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica dust, remains one of the most serious workplace health risks in construction and related sectors.
The condition develops over time and is incurable, with early symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue and a persistent cough. In more severe cases, it can lead to disability, premature death and increased risk of conditions such as lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Around 1.8 million workers in the UK are estimated to be living with work-related respiratory illness, while occupational lung diseases are linked to more than 400,000 lost working days each year.
The wider economic impact is also significant, with respiratory conditions costing the NHS an estimated £11 billion annually.
Campaign calls for stronger prevention measures
Arco has launched a projection-based campaign across Sheffield city centre to highlight the risks associated with silica dust exposure and encourage action among employers and workers.
The initiative forms part of its wider work with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Respiratory Health, which is examining how workplace protections can be strengthened.
Alex Turgoose, a respiratory product manager at Arco, said the risks associated with silica dust exposure were both serious and preventable.
He said greater emphasis must be placed on reducing exposure at source. “Silicosis and other respiratory diseases caused by exposure to silica dust remain a serious and entirely preventable risk in UK workplaces. Preventative action must be prioritised,” he said.
“Respiratory illnesses can lead to life-changing health problems, disability and even death where workers are unnecessarily exposed. Preventative action must be prioritised. Employers should implement effective controls to remove dust at source, ensure proper ventilation and provide appropriate industry-standard respiratory protective equipment.”
Legal duties already in place
Employers are already required to limit exposure to hazardous substances under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.
The rules require organisations to assess risks and introduce measures such as dust extraction systems, wet cutting techniques and suitable protective equipment to reduce exposure.
Despite this, concerns remain that awareness and enforcement are not consistent across all workplaces, particularly in sectors where silica dust is generated through cutting, drilling or grinding materials such as concrete and stone.
Turgoose said raising awareness was key to preventing long-term harm. “Through our Breathing Space activation in Sheffield, we want to bring visibility to a disease that too often goes unnoticed until it is too late. By raising awareness, we hope to encourage employers and workers alike to take proactive steps to protect respiratory health,” he said.
“By working together with industry partners and regulators, we can significantly reduce the risk of silicosis across some of the UK’s most vital industries.”
William Furney is a Managing Editor at Black and White Trading Ltd based in Kingston upon Hull, UK. He is a prolific author and contributor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional, with over 127 published posts covering HR, employee engagement, and workplace wellbeing topics. His writing focuses on contemporary employment issues including pension schemes, employee health, financial struggles affecting workers, and broader workplace trends.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
