Ballast Dust - Risks to You
23/10/2012
BDWG/Risk2You V03
Ballast Dust – Risks and You
Agenda
•How are you exposed?
•Key Hazards
•Site Safety
•Occupational Health Issues
•As an Industry what will we do?
•What will your employer do for you?
•What can you do?
•Discussion
BDWG/Risk2You ppt/V03
Ballast Dust – Risks and You
.How are you exposed?
•You are exposed to ballast dust in a variety of activities you perform within the railway
environment. These include:
BDWG/Risk2You ppt/V03
Ballast Dust – Risks and You
.Key Hazards
•There are 2 key hazards for anyone working with ballast
Site safety
Occupational health issues
(lack of visibility for OTP operators and ground staff)
(breathing in dust and other respiratory issues)
•Weather conditions and site environments can have an impact on the dust generated
and dispersed during working activities
BDWG/Risk2You ppt/V03
Ballast Dust – Risks and You
.Site Safety
•Poor visibility for the OTP operator when moving the plant at the work site both forward
and reverse…
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Collision with other OTP
Contact with individuals, causing personal injuries
Damage to delivery wagons, plant and equipment
Collision with lineside equipment, structure or obstructions
Contact with overhead line equipment
Materials falling from bucket
BDWG/Risk2You ppt/V03
Ballast Dust – Risks and You
.Occupational Health Issues
•Natural Aggregates, including Ballast contain silica, and produce silica dust known as
Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS).
•Inhaling RCS can lead to silicosis. Silicosis is a serious and irreversible lung disease that
causes permanent disablement and early death. This can be exacerbated by smoking.
•Silicosis is an occupational lung disease that develops over time when dust that contains
silica is inhaled into the lungs.
Silicosis damaged
lungs
Microscopic RCS
BDWG/Risk2You ppt/V03
Ballast Dust – Risks and You
.As an Industry what will we do?
•
We will work towards protecting the health of all employees within the Rail Industry
•
We will work towards minimising exposure to Ballast Dust by applying the Safe
Systems of Work, and
•
We will increase knowledge about potential health effects of Ballast Dust and how we
can all reduce risks and exposure
BDWG/Risk2You ppt/V03
Ballast Dust – Risks and You
.What will your Employer do for you?
•Give you a brief on Ballast Dust - Risks to You (this PowerPoint)
•Display BDWG Posters
•Hand out the BDWG Newsletter
•Give you a brief on Health Hazards and Control Measures! (COSHH)
•Brief you on RPE and Tool Box Talks
•Conduct RPE Risk Assessments and ‘Face Fit’ Testing (if required)
•Give you a brief on SSOW
BDWG/Risk2You ppt/V03
Ballast Dust – Risks and You
.What can you do?
•Move away from the area if you are not involved in the task to avoid breathing in dust
•Wear the PPE and RPE supplied to you
•Comply with all SSOW on worksites
•Engage in briefings sessions
•Report issues of ballast dust to your Line Manager/Supervisor
•Work with your employer to reduce the risks for everyone on site
•Keep your PPE/RPE and equipment clean and working properly
BDWG/Risk2You ppt/V03
Ballast Dust – Risks and You
.Discussion
BDWG/Risk2You ppt/V03