Project for Reducing Respiratory Disease in Kerb, Paving and Block Cutting

    Project documents

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News 

• Highways Agency have  won the Client with the Best Commitment to Health and Safety (sponsored by Kier) at the Building  Health and Safety Awards 2008. The Highways Agency has pioneered the use of plastic kerbs to reduce the need to cut silica-containing material, and produced a leaflet in conjunction with the HSE entitled Time to clear the air!. Read more at http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=754&storycode=3105568&featurecode=12139&c=1
• 'Time to clear the air!' leaflet on how to protect your lungs from cut-off saws has been produced to provide workers with practical information on good practice. The leaflet is located in the guidance folder and can be accessed by clicking on this link  'Time to clear the air leaflet'. The leaflet is now available as a hard copy free of charge. Since delivery began in April of this year 237,000 leaflets have been requested. Please e-mail the project manager with details of numbers required and a delivery address to robert.ellis@hse.gsi.gov.uk.

• On the 6th May 2008 at HSE Rose Court offices in London, Lord McKenzie Minister responsible for Health & Safety  gave a speech to senior managers in the construction industry and their suppliers. The speech and other information is now available in the folder Launch Event with Lord McKenzie Minister Responsible for Health and Safety.

• Vaughan Burnand, Chair MCG Health and safety Committee has issued the following statement from the Major Contractors Group:

"The Major Contractor's Group support the work of the Reducing Respiratory Disease in Kerb, Paving and Block Cutting Project. Methods and products to prevent dust clouds have been available for a long time and this group has produced a range of resources to facilitate their use. It is now up to industry as a whole to take the lead and prevent needless illness and deaths caused by silica dust."

Project Information 

In line with HSE strategy to address Occupational Health issues (through its Disease Reduction Programme), a working group has been established to facilitate identification of interventions and lead on their implementation. The group consists of representatives from:

• Construction
• Manufacturers
• Hire Companies & Associations
• Local Authorities
• Highways Agency
• Subject Experts
• Training Bodies
• HSE

This site has been established for stakeholders, to allow stakeholders to discuss issues with each other and directly with the working group members and communicate progress. We welcome your contribution to this work.

'Working together to identify a range of practical interventions and lead on their implementation to reduce or eliminate the risk of respiratory disease in kerb, paving or block cutting.'