Description

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The Working with Silica Dust eLearning course provides learners with an understanding of the health risks associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and the precautions required when undertaking work that may generate silica-containing dust.

The course explores how silica dust can be generated when materials such as concrete, stone, bricks and mortar are cut, drilled, ground or otherwise disturbed. Learners will consider how exposure can be reduced through appropriate work methods, engineering controls, respiratory protective equipment and good workplace practices.

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Who Should Attend?

• Employees who may be exposed to silica dust during their work.
• Construction and demolition workers.
• Employees who cut, drill, grind or otherwise process concrete, stone, brick or similar materials.
• Quarrying, mining and mineral processing personnel.
• Engineering and maintenance workers.
• Employees involved in cleaning areas where silica-containing dust may be present.
• Managers and supervisors responsible for dust-generating activities.
• Anyone requiring an understanding of silica dust hazards and appropriate workplace precautions.

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What You Will Learn

• What silica is and where it may be encountered.
• Understanding respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
• Recognising materials that may contain crystalline silica.
• Identifying work activities that can generate silica dust.
• Understanding how silica dust can enter the body.
• Recognising why fine respirable dust may not always be visible.
• Understanding the potential health effects associated with silica dust exposure.
• Awareness of silicosis and other respiratory health risks.
• Understanding that repeated or prolonged exposure can result in serious harm.
• Recognising the importance of controlling exposure to silica dust.
• Identifying tasks and circumstances where exposure may occur.
• Understanding the role of workplace risk assessments.
• Applying appropriate control measures to dust-generating activities.
• Understanding the principles of eliminating or reducing dust generation.
• Considering alternative materials or work methods where appropriate.
• Using wet working methods to suppress dust where suitable.
• Understanding the role of local exhaust ventilation and dust extraction.
• Using on-tool extraction appropriately where provided.
• Recognising the importance of maintaining dust control equipment.
• Understanding the role and limitations of respiratory protective equipment.
• Using suitable RPE where identified as necessary.
• Understanding the importance of appropriate RPE selection and fit.
• Following requirements relating to face-fit testing where tight-fitting RPE is used.
• Wearing and maintaining RPE correctly.
• Avoiding dry sweeping or other cleaning methods that unnecessarily disperse dust.
• Using appropriate dust removal and cleaning methods.
• Maintaining good personal hygiene following dusty work.
• Preventing unnecessary spread of silica-containing dust.
• Recognising when control measures are damaged, ineffective or unavailable.
• Knowing when work should be stopped or concerns escalated.
• Reporting defects, exposure concerns and unsafe working practices.
• Following workplace COSHH assessments and safe systems of work.
• Understanding the importance of health surveillance where required.
• Contributing to effective control of silica dust exposure within the workplace.

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Course Delivery

This course is delivered as self-directed eLearning through the ELMO learning platform.

Learners can work through the course at their own pace and can move backwards and forwards through the learning content as required. The course does not need to be completed in one sitting, allowing learners to leave and return to their training where necessary.

Interactive activities may be included throughout the course to reinforce key learning points.

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Assessment

Knowledge and understanding are checked through online assessment activities. Depending on the course content, these may include multiple-choice questions, matching exercises, drag-and-drop activities and image-based questions.

A minimum score of 70% is required to successfully complete the course.

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Certification

Upon successful completion of the course and assessment requirements, learners will receive a UK Rural Skills (UKRS) Accredited Certificate of Training.

This is an awareness-based eLearning course and does not replace workplace-specific COSHH assessments, exposure controls, RPE face-fit testing, health surveillance or any practical and task-specific training required for work involving exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

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Course Duration

The course is self-directed and learners can progress through the content at their own pace. Completion time may therefore vary depending on the individual learner.

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