The Urgent Need to Tackle Dust Exposure in Construction

Across the UK, thousands of construction workers face daily risks from airborne dust, such as silica and wood dust, both of which have been proven to cause serious long-term illnesses.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is cracking down hard on poor dust control. In the past year alone, multiple firms have faced fines exceeding £100,000 for failing to protect their workforce.

In one case, a property company ignored repeated HSE warnings and was fined £63,000. Inspectors visited the site four times in 13 months, shutting it down twice due to serious breaches of silica dust exposure.

It’s not a question of if your site will be inspected; it’s when. The real question is: are you ready?

The Reality of Dust Exposure

The statistics speak for themselves:

• 12,000 deaths each year in the UK are linked to workplace lung disease caused by hazardous exposures.

• More than 500 construction workers die annually from silica dust exposure alone.

• Around 230 people develop lung cancer each year as a direct result of past silica exposure.

These aren’t just numbers; they represent lives cut short by hazards that can be controlled. With HSE inspections on the rise, enforcement is only becoming stricter.

Beyond Asbestos: The Hidden Dangers of Dust

We all know asbestos is deadly, but other dusts pose equally serious risks.

Silica Dust

• What is it? A natural substance found in sand, clay, and most rocks. Released during cutting, drilling, grinding, and polishing.

• Health impact: The second biggest risk to construction workers after asbestos. Long-term exposure can cause lung cancer, silicosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Wood Dust

• What is it? Fine particles are created when working with timber through cutting, sanding, or drilling.

• Health impact: Prolonged exposure, particularly to hardwood dust, can cause nasal cancer, asthma, and chronic respiratory problems.

Both are invisible threats, able to linger in the air long after work stops.

How Polygon Can Help

At Polygon, we know that compliance is just one part of the equation; protecting your workforce is what truly matters. Our advanced climate control solutions help construction companies reduce airborne dust, safeguard workers’ health, and remain compliant with HSE regulations, while also avoiding costly fines and project delays. With real-time monitoring and dust extraction technologies, we provide early warnings and practical management strategies that keep sites safe, efficient, and fully operational.

Time to Wake Up

Dust is a silent killer in construction. The health impact is undeniable, enforcement is escalating, and the costs of non-compliance are higher than ever.

It’s time for the industry to wake up and start treating dust like the deadly hazard it is. With Polygon as your partner, you can protect your people, your projects, and your business.

📩 Get in touch with our Climate & Digital Solutions team: cds@polygongroup.com