| Health screening programme |
A screening programme is helping Tarmac North West to identify and respond to any health problems amongst its workforce. The programme, carried out by an independent company (Private Health Care Ltd), is specifically focused on respiratory and lung function issues that could be caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust and includes blood and urine analysis and a lifestyle questionnaire.
Although individual results are confidential, an overall summary allows managers to prioritise high-risk occupational areas. For example, they can ensure that respiratory and lung function complies with COSHH and the Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations.
In addition, some of the practical measures that are put into place to reduce dust particulates at the source include:
• environmental dust suppression, water sprays and sprinklers, on traffic routes and aggregate storage
areas
• vacuum / cyclone filter extraction on truckmixer loading bay
• silo filters / pressure relief systems on all silos
• the provision of power hose equipment to all yards for damping / washing down. |