TOOLBOX TALK DUST & AIR QUALITY ON A RAILWAY SITE
TOOLBOX TALK: DUST & AIR QUALITY ON A RAILWAY SITE

WHY THIS MATTERS

    WHY THIS MATTERS

    Dust and poor air quality aren’t just nuisances — they’re serious health hazards. On railway sites, especially during excavation, ballast handling, cutting, grinding or drilling, airborne dusts can contain silica, heavy metals, or organic fibres. Long-term exposure can lead to chronic respiratory diseases, including silicosis, COPD, and asthma.


COMMON DUST-GENERATING ACTIVITIES

    COMMON DUST-GENERATING ACTIVITIES

  • Cutting or drilling concrete, bricks, or sleepers
  • Handling or replacing ballast
  • Excavation or demolition
  • Working in or around diesel plant or equipment
  • Sweeping without dampening dust

KEY HAZARDS

    KEY HAZARDS

  • Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) – found in ballast and concrete
  • Diesel Exhaust Emissions – from plant and generators
  • Wood or Fibrous Dust – from site materials or lagging
  • Dust build-up in confined spaces

CONTROL MEASURES

    CONTROL MEASURES

  • Assess the Risk – Before starting, ask: Will this task generate dust? Can it be eliminated or reduced?
  • Damp Down – Use water suppression when cutting or breaking materials.
  • Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) – Use extraction tools where possible.
  • RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) – FFP3-rated masks when controls aren’t enough.
  • Cab Filtration – Ensure plant with enclosed cabs has proper air filtration.
  • Vehicle Idling – Turn off engines when not in use to reduce diesel fumes.
  • Monitor Air Quality – Use personal or area dust monitoring where required.
  • Site Housekeeping – Wet sweeping preferred over dry brushing.
  • Permit to Work/Task Briefing – Must highlight air quality risks and controls.

WHAT YOU MUST DO

    WHAT YOU MUST DO

  • Always wear the correct RPE and ensure it fits properly (clean-shaven policy may apply).
  • Report dust clouds or poor visibility.
  • Speak up if controls like water suppression aren’t working.
  • Don’t dry sweep unless authorised and necessary controls are in place.
  • Use cutting/grinding tools with integrated dust extraction where provided.

HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

    HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

  • If you’re regularly exposed to dust, you may need regular lung function checks.
  • Report any persistent cough, shortness of breath, or chest tightness to your supervisor or occupational health team.

LEGAL DUTIES

LEGAL DUTIES

  • Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations, employers must control exposure.
  • You must follow training and use PPE/RPE properly.

DISCUSSION POINTS

ARE WE DOING ANY DUST-GENERATING TASKS TODAY?

ARE CURRENT CONTROLS (RPE, WATER SUPPRESSION, EXTRACTION) WORKING?

ANY RECENT ISSUES WITH DUST LEVELS OR AIR QUALITY?

Remember: You can’t always see harmful dusts — that doesn’t mean they’re not there. If you can’t eliminate it, control it.

QUESTIONS? CONCERNS? SPEAK UP — SAFETY FIRST.

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