Health & Safety Executive

Tackling Long Latency Health Risks

Along with quarries, construction, stone working and welding, foundry work is one of five industries considered to put workers at the highest risk of respiratory exposure to potentially harmful dust and fumes.

Continued exposure to fumes and dust can lead to long latency diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), silicosis, various cancers, respiratory ill health and even death.

The Foundries Partnership is part of a long term project aiming to raise awareness of the risks of exposure in the workplace. Its aim is to encourage employers and employees to think about the way they work and how best to protect themselves.

The Partnership will consider what members can do to reduce the risks of respiratory disease by speaking and working with those involved in the foundries industry, promoting the correct use of control measures used in high risk tasks, changing perceptions, attitudes and behaviours to respiratory health and encouraging good working practices.

What next for the Foundries Partnership Group?

The first meeting has taken place and the group is considering how to best communicate with the industry, develop industry specific activities and promote good working practices to reduce the risks of respiratory exposure.

If you have any questions or require further information in relation to the Foundries Partnership Group please contact Susan Polak:

Susan.Polak@hse.gsi.gov.uk