From Risk to Control: Protecting Workers from Dust Exposure and Lung Disease

Insights from the “From Risk to Control: Navigating Dust Exposure and Health Compliance” Webinar

Dust exposure is one of the most significant yet often underestimated workplace hazards, particularly in construction and industrial settings. Long-term exposure can lead to life-altering conditions such as silicosis, asbestosis, and other chronic lung diseases.

In a recent webinar hosted by Ctrl Hub, Mark Lisgo, Managing Director of Ctrl Hub, and John Heslop, Principal Inspector of Health and Safety for the Northeast region at the HSE, shared guidance on managing dust risks, complying with the law, and protecting workers.

This article explores the key takeaways from the discussion and highlights practical steps employers can take to manage risk effectively.

The Hidden Scale of Dust-Related Health Risks

Dust exposure can seem invisible, but its effects are severe and long-lasting. According to HSE data shared by Heslop, around 1.7 million UK workers suffer from work-related ill health, with an estimated 12,000 deaths each year linked to lung disease from previous work exposure.

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"The health impact of dust is that whatever the dust you breathe in…won't impact you straight away. It's a latency effect, by the time they're starting to hit their mid-40s, 50s, have extreme problems with their breathing."
– John Heslop, HSE

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Even dust that seems harmless can cause serious disease over time. Heslop highlighted asbestos as a particular risk when disturbed:

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"Asbestos is largely fine if it's not disturbed, but when it becomes disturbed, it becomes fibrous, the fibres come out, they go into your lungs if you breathe them in, and you won't get those out."
– John Heslop, HSE

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For workers, this latency means symptoms often appear decades later, underscoring the importance of preventive measures today.

Employers’ Legal Duties and Compliance

Managing dust isn’t just a health issue; it’s a legal requirement. Heslop reminded employers that responsibility for worker safety rests firmly with them:

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"The duty doesn't sit with us, it sits with employers; all of these regulations have elements in them that place a duty on duty holders, employees, and employers to take adequate controls to safeguard workers."
– John Heslop, HSE

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Failing to comply can be costly. HSE can recover inspection costs if breaches are found, at £184 per hour, which can quickly escalate for smaller companies.

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"If we identify a breach of law whilst we're on site…that visit becomes chargeable…that can really quickly build up, and especially if you are not a massive company, that can start to really eat into profits."
– John Heslop, HSE

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What Effective Dust Control Looks Like

The webinar highlighted a hierarchy of control for dust exposure:

1. Elimination or Substitution – replacing processes or materials that create dust.
2. Engineering Controls – such as water suppression or local exhaust ventilation.
3. PPE – respiratory protection as a last line of defence.
   

Heslop emphasised that relying on PPE alone is insufficient:

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"Although it's classed as a last line of defence, it is a line of defence…for an effective face fit test, you can't have facial hair…these tiny particles…will just find the path of least resistance."
– John Heslop, HSE

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Mark Lisgo emphasised the importance of providing documentary evidence of compliance:

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"You want to see that documentary evidence, and that's where kind of a platform, a digital platform can come in and offer a significant compliance tool…making sure your control measures are in place, and that evidence is being retained."
– Mark Lisgo, Ctrl Hub

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Health Surveillance and Subcontractor Oversight

Proper health surveillance is critical for early detection of dust-related illness. Heslop clarified:

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"The duty firmly sits with the employer…confirmation that it [health surveillance] is being done and it's being acted upon…However, it's not the duty of the principal contractor."
– John Heslop, HSE

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This makes clear the importance of checking that subcontractors are also complying with health surveillance requirements.

Key Takeaways for Employers

The webinar reinforced that dust-related illnesses are preventable with the right controls. Key points include:

• Compliance with legal requirements is critical for worker safety and to avoid financial penalties.
  
• Risk assessments, monitoring, and documentation are essential to demonstrate that controls are in place.
  
• Health surveillance can detect issues early and protect both employees and businesses.
  
• Digital platforms like Ctrl Hub streamline compliance, track controls, and store evidence for audits or inspections.
  

As Lisgo concluded:

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"Consequences are severe. Compliance is critical…Prevention is possible, so dust exposure, silicosis, and asbestosis are entirely preventable with the right controls in place…Your processes, but also your data, your records… are going to protect your workforce, and demonstrate that you do care."
– Mark Lisgo, Ctrl Hub

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Protecting Workers and Your Business

Dust exposure is not just a regulatory concern; it’s a serious health issue. By combining proper controls, monitoring, and clear documentation, employers can prevent long-term illnesses, protect workers, and reduce the risk of legal and financial consequences.

👉 Watch the full Dust Exposure webinar
📄 Download the webinar slides
💬 Contact Ctrl Hub for Dust Inspection Readiness Session