Chapter 1 – RCS and its potential health effects

It is known that the inhalation of dust, including dust containing crystalline silica, regularly over many years can lead to lung diseases. Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) is fine dust that may be generated when materials containing crystalline silica are processed.

Although occasional DIY activities are unlikely to expose people to high dust levels for a sufficient period of time to have an adverse health effect, reducing dust as much as possible during DIY works is a sensible precaution. This is not necessarily the case for mobile or back-of-van workers, who may have higher health risks due to continual and more regular exposure.

This e-learning provides good practice advice for those doing during DIY or mobile work activities to minimise exposure to dust as much as possible through straightforward measures.

The guidance addresses typical dusty tasks in a generic approach, it doesn’t address how to use/apply specific products, for which the manufacturer’s instructions must be followed.

Scroll through the carousel to learn some activities that can generate RCS dust.