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What is Silica Dust Awareness Awareness Training?
This online Silica Dust Awareness training course explores the health hazards related to silica dust and the risk controls necessary when working with silica-containing materials. It is designed to provide anyone at risk of exposure to silica dust with an awareness of why they must protect themselves against this hazard and how to do so.
Why Choose Silica Dust Awareness Training with Human Focus?
- Study any time & in bite-size sessions
- Less costly than a classroom training
- Discounts on volume purchases
- Excellent trainee support
- Provides trainees with an awareness of how to reduce the risk of silica dust exposure
- Raises awareness regarding the chronic and acute symptoms of silicosis
- Supports compliance with relevant legislation and regulations
What is Silica?
Silica is a natural substance that originates in varying quantities in most rocks, sand, and clay. It is an integral component of construction materials such as brick, tiles, concrete, or mortar.
When work is conducted on silica-containing materials, silica dust is generated. This dust is called respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which is easily inhaled and can stay in the air for hours.
Why Is Silica Dust Awareness Training Important?
Many of us are unfamiliar with the hazards of silica dust, yet the HSE ranks it as the greatest risk to construction workers after asbestos. While exact data is not available, some estimate it is responsible for around 1,000 deaths per year in the UK.
Those working on or near silica dust often do not realise the hazard that they face. One reason is that particles of dust are so tiny that they are literally invisible. RCS is smaller than the width of a single human hair.
At the same time, the amount you can safely inhale on a daily basis is many times smaller than a single penny. Working around RCS, you may feel completely normal for many years until it is too late.
- Silicosis
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Lung Cancer – Scarring of lung tissue
Employers of those that work with silica dust containing materials have legal duties to protect their staff from these risks. These duties fall under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. The Construction Design and Management (CDM) Regulations also outline legal duties to prevent risks on construction sites.
What’s Included in the Silica Dust Awareness Course?
- Comprehensive yet concise explanation
- Certificate on completion
- Simple login & user access
- The latest industry best practice
Delivery Method
Online / E-learning
Course Duration
40+ minutes
Learning Outcomes
- Learn where silica is found
- Identify health hazards of Silica
- Gain awareness of the legal duties and responsibilities
- Learn how to conduct a risk assessment for silica dust
- Understand the controls for silica dust
- Learn how to use of Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
Course Content
This online Silica Dust Awareness course contains the following sections:
- What is Silica Dust?
- Health Hazards Associated with Silica Dust
- Responsibilities and Duties of Individuals Working with Silica Dust
- How to Carry out an Effective Risk Assessment
- Identifying the Hazard
- Evaluating the Risk
- Risk Controls
- Record and Review the Findings
- Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
- Practical Ways to Reduce the Risk
Assessment
At the end of the course, users must complete an end of course assessment before earning their certification.
The end of course test is:
- 100% online
- Multiple choice
- A score of 80% is required to pass the test.
Certification
The downloadable printable certificate is assured by RoSPA and will be issued instantly on course completion.
The Silica Dust Awareness training certificate includes the trainee’s name, company name, course name, date of completion, expiry date and the name of the approval body.