What are an employer's legal duties regarding silica dust control?

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations govern silica dust in the United Kingdom. Employers are required by law to evaluate the risks associated with RCS and implement safeguards to limit exposure as much as is practically possible.

This entails doing a risk assessment, implementing engineering controls such as water suppression or dust extraction, offering suitable respiratory gear, and making certain that employees receive hazard-related training.

If there is a chance that employees may be exposed to more dust than is permitted by law, employers must also keep track of that information. Enforcement action, penalties, and even prosecution may follow noncompliance.