Some work environments and work tasks can present a risk of causing life-threatening lung diseases.  Breathing in dust, gases, fumes, and vapours in the workplace can cause serious, long-term lung damage. It often causes incurable health problems including work-related asthma, COPD, lung cancer, pneumoconiosis, silicosis, asbestos-related disease and extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

Some of the high-risk occupations and sectors include construction (cutting, drilling, and sanding). Not to mention welding, stonework, cement and concrete manufacture, woodworking, baking, milling, and quarry work. The risk can occur anywhere, in any occupation where airborne particles can be breathed in without being filtered.

Employers are obliged by law to protect their workers by using alternative processes. They're also encouraged to use less hazardous materials, use enclosures and/or install effective ventilation. They should also provide personal protective equipment (PPE).

Here at BS Fixings, we provide disposable dust masks (EN 149:2001+A1:2009) to help provide a level of protection against some of the causes of work-related lung disease.  They provide protection level FFP1, which is protection against dust experienced during construction work or cleaning. They avoid the inhalation of dust from brick, stone, drywall, wood, or sweeping.

Workplace health and safety is a serious business with significant health, as well as legal implications if you get it wrong. We advise that if you have any concerns over and above what we have covered here that you seek appropriate medical or legal advice. We're happy to discuss our dust masks and any other of our products should you require more detailed information.