Unite says ‘No’ to workplace dust
5 September 2011
Unite has worked closely with the TUC to produce new guidance to
Unite members and other union members about dust in the
workplace.
Unite and the TUC are calling for a review of dust exposure
levels in line with recommendations from the trade union side of
the Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances (ACTS).
The guidance shows that dust is one of the biggest workplace
killers and several thousands of workers are dying as a result of
dust exposure. Although much of that is because of inadequate
enforcement of existing standards, a considerable number of deaths
are a result of inadequate maximum exposure levels.
Bud Hudspith, Unite national health and safety adviser, said:
“Too many Unite members are being exposed to dangerous levels of
dust at work. The current dust standards are not good enough and
there is strong scientific evidence to prove it.
“Unite is calling on the Health and Safety Executive to launch a
general campaign to reduce dust exposure in all workplaces and to
improve the inadequate dust standards that currently exist.”
ENDS
For further information contact Bud Hudspith on 07881 588917 or
contact Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020 3371 2061
or 07980 224761.
Notes to editors:
The new guide is available at http://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace/tuc-19974-f0.pdf
The TUC is represented on ACTS by Bud Hudspith and Susan Murray
from Unite and Professor Alastair Hay from the University of
Leeds.
