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What is the Silica Dust Awareness course?

Silica Dust Awareness is a 45-minute online course that explains the risks of respirable crystalline silica (RCS), one of the most serious dust hazards at work. Learners find out what silica is, which materials contain it, and how ordinary jobs such as cutting, drilling or grinding can release harmful dust into the air.

A real-life case study shows the human cost of silica-related illness, for the worker and for their family. The course also sets out who is legally responsible for what, and finishes with the practical steps that stop dust being breathed in.

Who should take this course?

It is designed first and foremost for people in construction, manufacturing and allied trades whose work can create or disturb silica dust. Supervisors, site and production managers, and safety advisers in those industries will also find it valuable, as they are the people who plan the work and put the controls in place.

What will I learn?

When you finish, you should be able to:

  • Define silica, list the places it is commonly found, and explain the danger of inhaling respirable crystalline silica (RCS)
  • Pick out the materials, industries and day-to-day tasks that carry the greatest risk of silica dust exposure
  • Name the principal illnesses linked to breathing in silica dust, recognise their symptoms, and understand how they affect workers and the people close to them
  • Set out the duties that employers and employees each have for managing silica dust under UK law, including COSHH
  • Use the right controls, from engineering measures and medical health surveillance to correctly worn PPE/RPE, to remove or reduce exposure

Course topics

  • Silica explained: what it is and where it occurs
  • The fine dust fraction, respirable crystalline silica (RCS), and the harm it does
  • Materials, trades and tasks that carry the greatest risk
  • Silica-related diseases, their symptoms and a real case study
  • Legal duties of employers and employees, including COSHH
  • Control measures: engineering solutions, health surveillance and PPE/RPE

How is the course delivered?

The course is delivered entirely online as e-learning. Each learner sets their own pace and chooses when to study, so training can be slotted around shifts, site work and home life. It is a quick and cost-effective way to brief a whole workforce without taking people away from the job for a full day.

How long does it take?

Around 45 minutes.

FAQs

Is silica dust awareness training a legal requirement?

Under COSHH, employers must give workers suitable information, instruction and training about the hazardous substances they may be exposed to. Where work creates silica dust, awareness training is a practical way to meet that duty alongside the right controls and a suitable COSHH risk assessment.

What does RCS stand for?

RCS stands for respirable crystalline silica, the very fine silica dust that is small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs.

Does the course cover respiratory protective equipment (RPE)?

Yes. RPE is covered as part of the control measures, together with engineering measures and medical health surveillance. Our RPE guidance explains how to choose and fit the right equipment.

Can I take the course on my own schedule?

Yes. It is self-paced e-learning, so you can start, pause and finish it whenever is convenient.

Related courses and guidance

Related courses

Guidance

Training more than one person on this course?

If you have a group to put through this course, it can be delivered at your own premises or a venue near you, on a date that suits your shift patterns. No travel, no overnight stays, and priced for the group rather than per person — which usually works out cheaper per head than booking individual places.

Tell us the numbers and roughly where you are, and we will come back with a written quote. Purchase orders and invoicing welcome.

Get a group quote