"Demolition workers are exposed to various hazardous substances including respirable crystalline silica (RCS). This can cause chronic lung diseases like silicosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Research was commissioned to identify appropriate, achievable RCS control standards for demolition activity and to assess exposures with them applied. It involved both site visits and a literature search.
Nine site visits were undertaken to four different companies who were pro-actively focussed on managing RCS. Forty-one RCS exposure measurements were made for the demolition work seen. Results were compared against the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for RCS of 0.1 mg/m3 as an 8-hr Time Weighted Average. The majority (75.6%) were less than 25% of this WEL. Only one exposure measurement exceeded it.
The literature search found little published data on RCS exposures in demolition. Exposures measured in this research are at the low end of the spectrum when compared to what exists. This could be expected given participant's pro-active focus on managing RCS and means they cannot be viewed as representative of the GB demolition sector overall.
Conclusions on effective exposure controls for the tasks seen during the site visits are summarised in this research. They inform HSE's position on adequate controls under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) for demolition activities."

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