Silica Dust – Cancer and Construction (HSE)

This HSE guidance highlights the significant health risks associated with respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure in the construction industry. Silica is a naturally occurring mineral found in materials such as concrete, brick, mortar, sandstone, tiles and many other common construction products. Activities such as cutting, drilling, grinding, chasing and polishing can generate fine silica dust capable of reaching deep into the lungs.

The guidance explains that silica is one of the most serious health risks faced by construction workers and is linked to lung cancer, silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). HSE estimates that silica exposure contributes to the deaths of more than 500 construction workers each year.

The resource also outlines practical control measures including water suppression, local exhaust ventilation (LEV), on-tool extraction, good housekeeping and suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

This resource is relevant to:

LEV Designers
LEV Installers
Occupational Hygienists
Health & Safety Professionals
Construction Managers
Principal Contractors
Facilities Managers
Duty Holders
Process Engineers

Source Document

View the HSE guidance here:

View Original HSE Guidance

Source: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Document Type: Construction Health Guidance
Status: Current
Last reviewed by LEVCentral: June 2026

LEVCentral Expert Commentary

This is one of the most important occupational health resources published by HSE for the construction sector. While asbestos often receives greater attention, HSE identifies silica as the next most significant respiratory health risk affecting construction workers.

For LEV professionals, the guidance provides a clear reminder that silica control should be considered at the earliest stages of project planning. Many common construction activities generate respirable crystalline silica, and effective engineering controls are frequently required to reduce exposures to acceptable levels. LEV systems, on-tool extraction and appropriately designed capture arrangements are often critical components of a compliant control strategy.

The guidance also reinforces an important principle frequently overlooked during project delivery: harmful exposures are often generated during short-duration tasks. Workers may not perceive a risk because silica dust is often invisible under normal lighting conditions, yet repeated exposure can result in irreversible lung damage many years later.

For duty holders, this resource supports the integration of COSHH assessments, LEV design, health surveillance and worker training into a single exposure-control strategy. Where silica-generating activities cannot be eliminated, a combination of engineering controls, maintenance, testing and competent supervision is essential.

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