BSC calls for more air pollution monitoring

On the issue of monitoring and data, Mike Robinson said, “While we know that the Government recently announced a new round of Air Quality Grants for local authorities, which is welcome, much of this money is intended for them to raise awareness on the issue.

“The British Safety Council is calling for improvements in the monitoring of air pollution levels throughout the UK. Indeed, we want every town and city to have the same standard of information and data as the London Air Quality Network (LAQN) which is now even being supplemented by other additional sensors as part of the ‘Breathe London’ initiative.”

On the fact that risks of outdoor air pollution are not currently overseen by the Government’s health and safety regulator, Mike Robinson said, “We also would like to see the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recognise exposure to ambient air pollution as an occupational health issue. Only by accepting the health implications of noxious outdoor air, can the necessary actions be taken to protect workers who are exposed to its harmful effects on a regular basis.

“The HSE must recognise outdoor workers as a vulnerable group and undertake the research needed to assess the scale of the problem, but we know it will not do so unless directed to by Ministers.”

About the Time to Breathe campaign

The British Safety Council has been campaigning since 2019 to raise awareness of the impact that air pollution can have on the health of outdoor workers.

One of the drivers of our campaign, Time to Breathe, has been the call for more and better data to help us understand better how air pollution affects people such as outdoor workers. The fact is, little or no research exists on the impact air pollution has on people who don’t get to choose the air they breathe because of their work. These workers include street cleaners, refuse workers, traffic police, cycle couriers, construction or maintenance workers, newspaper sellers, gardeners, teachers or security guards working on busy roads.

For more on Time to Breathe, please visit: https://britsafe.org/campaigns-policy/time-to-breathe-air-pollution-campaign/time-to-breathe/