WorkCover Advice for Ceiling
Dust Removalists
By Elizabeth O'Brien, Coordinator, The LEAD
Group,
and Manager, Lead Advisory Service (NSW)
See: Guidance Note For Ceiling Dusts Containing Lead
by NSW WorkCover
In May 1998, I asked Dr Cullen, Occupational
Medicine Section of WorkCover NSW for advice for ceiling dust contractors. In June 1999 I
wanted to check whether any of the advice I had written down from the call, might have
changed and was told that Dr Cullen was no longer at WorkCover. John Devine of the PPE
Unit of WorkCover provided some extra information on respirators (marked by a frame) and
Dr Kenyon read the notes I had made from Dr Cullen’s advice and made some deletions and
also changed some points (which I have marked with an asterisk) in the following advice.
Comments in square brackets are mine.
"The ceiling dust contractor has to:-
-
wear a dust respirator all the time (the respirator only works if
there is no beard or moustache) and a cloth cap (cotton engineer's beret) on his head, for
the dust;
-
Wear gloves and a boiler-suit, as some of the components of
ceiling dust may be absorbed through the skin;
-
Wash his clothes separately *
-
Have a shower at the end of the day; include washing the face and
* hair;
"The ceiling dust contractor can come into
WorkCover to talk to an occupational hygienist, as he has various health risks if exposed
to the dust:-
-
Ceiling dust can contain the remains of up to 64 pests known to
live in roof voids, including birds that can cause pigeon fancier's lung.
-
Ceiling dust is likely to contain fungus that also produces
bronchial hyperactivity. Once you have bronchial hyperactivity it doesn't take much dust
to produce symptoms [such as coughing and wheezing]. * Some fungi are chemical sensitisers
but these fungi may not occur in ceiling dust.
-
* Dr Kenyon said the silica level in the ceiling dust would be of
concern and exposure to silica is covered by other regulations [For example, according to
the WorkCover factsheet A Guide to Dust Hazards (March 1995) "Regulation 95A
of the Construction Safety Act Regulations which sets out procedures for dust
control during building work and construction work. It includes a requirement that
drilling, picking, scabbling, cutting and ripping equipment must be fitted with dust
suppression or dust control devices when used on silica-containing materials."]
-
Breathing lots of dust causes * industrial asthma, depending on
what is in the dust, eg animal dander proteins. Ceiling dust may exacerbate asthma or
precipitate an asthma attack.
-
A person may have one or both of 2 types of breathing problems *
:-
-
Restrictive: * the vital capacity of the lungs is decreased by
high exposure for long periods to, for instance silica or asbestos.
Obstructive: * trouble getting the air in:- e.g. asthma -
broncho-constriction of the intermediate airways. An asthmatic reaction may occur
instantly.
"If the contractor has reason to be
concerned about his respiratory health, then he should:-
-
Go to a GP. The GP can carry out a simple test on his respiratory
function - * most doctors will do spirometry (measurement of lung function) - and refer
him to a respiratory specialist if necessary.
-
Alternatively, the doctor at the Workers Health Centre at
Granville, Sydney (phone 02 9897 2466) could see the worker or make the appropriate
referral.
"If the worker has only been in the ceiling
dust industry for a short time, then his respiratory problems may be completely reversible
or mostly reversible. After the use of maximum respiratory protection, any bronchial
hyperactivity or asthma should come a long way back towards normal lung function.
"If workers compensation is being paid for the contractor
then he can claim occupational disease. If he is employed by his own company and is not
privately insured, then he can claim lost work time for medical investigations. If he just
owns and runs his own company and is not privately insured, then he can't claim anything
See: Guidance Note For Ceiling Dusts Containing Lead
by NSW WorkCover
Advice about personal protection from WorkCover PPE Unit
WorkCover NSW and its
predecessors have operated an approval system for respirators for the last 30 years. Not
all of the respirators available in hardware stores are approved, and not all of them meet
the requirements of the Australian Standard.
The PPE Unit of
WorkCover is willing and able to offer advice regarding the selection, care and use of
respirators, including which ones have been tested and approved. Londonderry: Phone (02)
4724 4900, Fax (02) 4724 4999.
Another authoritative
source of information regarding respirators is the Australian Standard
AS/NZS 1716-1994.
" The Selection, Care and Use of Respirators". It is quite possible to have a
device that meets the requirements of AS/NZS 1716, but not be protected adequately,
because you have not selected the appropriate device.
"Thirty Thought-Starters on Ceiling Void Dust in
Homes" mentions the use of disposable
overalls, whereas the tips received from WorkCover Occupational Medicine Section says
"boiler suit". In my opinion, a normal cotton boiler suit is not as
satisfactory, as it has pockets and other places where contamination can collect,
including direct hand holes which allow access through the boiler suit to trouser pockets
underneath. Therefore the disposable protective clothing is a better solution. |
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