OBR Construction — Mandatory Health & Safety Module
~25 minDuration
10Questions
75%Pass Mark
12 MonthsCertificate Validity
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! Why This Training Matters
Dust is one of the most serious and widespread health hazards in the construction industry. Every year, hundreds of construction workers die from occupational lung diseases caused by dust exposure — more than are killed in accidents on site. Unlike cuts and broken bones, dust-related diseases develop silently over years, often without symptoms until serious and irreversible damage has occurred.
The most dangerous dusts in construction — respirable crystalline silica (RCS), wood dust, and general construction dust — are governed by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and enforced by the HSE. This course covers how to identify, assess, and control construction dust to protect yourself and your colleagues.
Note: This is an awareness course. Task-specific COSHH assessments and dust control plans must be in place before dusty work begins on any OBR site.
1 Types of Construction Dust
Not all construction dust is the same. Different dusts cause different diseases, and some are far more dangerous than others. Understanding the type of dust you are dealing with is the starting point for controlling it effectively.
Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) — Highest Risk Released when cutting, grinding, drilling, or scabbling concrete, stone, brick, mortar, or sandstone. RCS particles are too small to see and penetrate deep into the lungs. Causes silicosis (irreversible scarring of the lungs), lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There is no cure.
Wood Dust — High Risk Generated by sawing, routing, sanding, or machining timber. Hardwood dust is a Group 1 carcinogen — it causes nasal cancer. Softwood dust causes asthma. Both can cause serious harm with prolonged exposure. The HSE WEL for hardwood dust is 3mg/m³.
Lower Toxicity Dusts (PNOC) — Medium Risk Gypsum, limestone, marble, dolomite, calcium silicate, and general building dusts. Less immediately dangerous than silica or wood dust but can still cause lung disease with prolonged exposure. WEL of 4mg/m³ (respirable) and 10mg/m³ (inhalable).
Nuisance Dust — Lower Risk Dust that does not contain silica or other harmful substances. Still requires control to prevent respiratory irritation, but poses less long-term risk than the categories above.
Key fact: RCS is invisible to the naked eye. You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it. By the time you can see dust in the air, you are already breathing RCS.
2 Health Effects of Dust Exposure
The health effects of construction dust are serious, progressive, and in most cases permanent. They develop over months and years, which means workers are often unaware of the damage being done until it is too late.
Silicosis
Caused by breathing RCS. The lungs scar and stiffen, making breathing increasingly difficult. Three forms: chronic (develops over years), accelerated (develops faster with higher exposure), and acute (rare but rapidly fatal). There is no treatment — only prevention.
Lung Cancer
RCS is a Class 1 carcinogen. Construction workers exposed to silica dust have a significantly elevated risk of lung cancer. Hardwood dust is also a proven carcinogen causing nasal cancer.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
An umbrella term for progressive lung diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Caused by long-term exposure to dust and fumes. Leads to breathlessness, persistent cough, and reduced ability to work. Irreversible.
Occupational Asthma
Caused by sensitisation to certain dusts including wood dust, flour dust, and some adhesives. Once sensitised, even tiny exposures can trigger an asthma attack. Can develop months or years after first exposure.
Early warning signs to report immediately: persistent cough, shortness of breath during light activity, wheezing, tightness in the chest, or frequent chest infections. These are not normal. If you experience any of these symptoms, report them to your supervisor and see your GP. Early detection can prevent further damage.
3 Legal Requirements
Dust in construction is regulated under several pieces of legislation. Employers and workers both have legal duties in relation to dust control.
Key legislation:
COSHH Regulations 2002 — require employers to assess and control exposure to hazardous substances including dust. A COSHH assessment must be in place before dusty work begins
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 — employers must provide a safe place of work and safe systems of work. Workers must cooperate with health and safety measures
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) — designers and principal contractors must plan, manage, and monitor construction work including dust risks
HSE enforcement: The HSE actively inspects construction sites for dust control. Improvement notices, prohibition notices, and prosecutions have been issued to contractors failing to control silica dust. Fines for dust-related breaches can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
4 The Dust Control Hierarchy
Under COSHH, dust must be controlled using the hierarchy of controls. Controls must be applied in order — starting at the top and only moving down when higher-level controls are not reasonably practicable. RPE (respiratory protection) is always the last resort, not the first line of defence.
1. Eliminate Can the task be done without creating dust? Pre-cut materials off-site, use pre-formed components, or select low-dust materials.
2. Substitute Use a less hazardous material or process. Use calcium silicate board instead of concrete board, or use a lower-silica product.
3. Engineering Controls — Water Suppression Use water to damp down dust at source — on-tool water suppression on disc cutters, grinders, and drills. Water suppression reduces airborne dust by up to 90% when used correctly.
4. Engineering Controls — On-Tool Extraction (LEV) Local exhaust ventilation captures dust at the point of generation. H-class vacuum extractors (not shop vacs) must be used for silica dust. The extractor must be the correct class for the dust being generated.
5. RPE — Last Resort FFP3 disposable masks or reusable half-face respirators with P3 filters for silica dust. RPE only works if correctly fitted, worn for the entire duration of exposure, and maintained properly. Facial hair prevents an effective seal.
Critical: RPE must never be used as the sole control measure for silica dust. Engineering controls (water suppression or LEV) must be used first. RPE is additional protection — not a substitute for proper dust control.
5 High-Risk Tasks and Specific Controls
Certain tasks generate particularly high levels of silica dust and require specific control measures. The HSE has identified these as priority tasks for dust control inspections.
Disc Cutting / Angle Grinding
Use on-tool water suppression or H-class LEV
Never dry cut concrete or masonry without controls
Use equipment with integrated shroud and extraction
FFP3 RPE as additional protection
Keep bystanders clear of dust cloud
Scabbling and Chasing
High dust generation — always use LEV with H-class extractor
Enclose the work area where possible
FFP3 RPE mandatory
Restrict access to work area during scabbling
Drilling Into Concrete or Masonry
Use vacuum shroud attachment on drill
Connect to H-class extractor
Damp down where vacuum not possible
FFP3 RPE as additional protection
Sweeping and Housekeeping
Never dry sweep — use H-class vacuum or damp methods only
Dry sweeping re-suspends settled silica dust
Use water damping before sweeping
Dispose of dust waste correctly — do not blow dust into the air
H-class vacuums: Standard wet-and-dry shop vacuums are NOT suitable for silica dust — they do not filter fine particles and will blow RCS back into the air. Only H-class (high filtration) vacuums with HEPA filters must be used for silica-generating tasks.
6 Key Summary
DO
Use water suppression or LEV before reaching for RPE
Use H-class vacuum extractors for silica dust
Wear FFP3 RPE as additional protection
Damp down before sweeping — never dry sweep
Report respiratory symptoms to your supervisor immediately
Keep bystanders away from dusty work
Check the COSHH assessment before starting any dusty task
DON'T
Dry cut concrete or masonry without controls
Use a standard shop vacuum for silica dust
Rely on RPE alone as the only control
Dry sweep dusty areas
Ignore early respiratory symptoms
Wear RPE with facial hair — it will not seal correctly
Allow bystanders in the dust zone without RPE
Remember: Dust-related diseases kill more construction workers every year than site accidents. The damage is invisible, irreversible, and preventable. Every task that generates dust requires the right controls — every time.
Certificate Validity: This Control of Dust certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
? Knowledge Assessment
Answer all 10 questions. You must score 75% or above (8/10) to pass and receive your certificate.
Question 1 of 10
Which type of construction dust carries the highest risk of causing fatal lung disease?
Question 2 of 10
Silicosis is caused by breathing in RCS. Which statement about silicosis is correct?
Question 3 of 10
What is the HSE Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for respirable crystalline silica?
Question 4 of 10
In the dust control hierarchy, which measure should be applied first before considering RPE?
Question 5 of 10
Which class of vacuum extractor must be used when collecting silica dust?
Question 6 of 10
What level of respiratory protection is required for tasks generating silica dust?
Question 7 of 10
Why must you never dry sweep a dusty concrete floor?
Question 8 of 10
Hardwood dust is classified as which type of carcinogen?
Question 9 of 10
A worker with a beard needs to wear an FFP3 respirator for silica dust work. What should happen?
Question 10 of 10
Which of the following is an early warning sign of dust-related lung disease that should be reported immediately?
Certificate of Completion
Control of Dust
This is to certify that
Control of Dust Training
Has successfully completed the OBR Construction Control of Dust online training module in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and HSE guidance on the control of dust in construction, including respirable crystalline silica, wood dust, and general construction dusts.
