Campaign to tackle silent killer

Appearing in the historic Steel City of Sheffield, Arco has created cinematic projections to highlight the invisible yet deadly threat of silica dust exposure, and the urgent need for stronger workplace protections. 

The campaign, Breathing Space, forms part of Arco’s wider work with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Respiratory Health, calling for greater awareness, improved protections and stronger action to safeguard workers across high-risk industries from silicosis, and other potentially fatal occupational lung diseases. 

As the UK’s leading safety experts, and the country’s only integrated safety products and services provider, Arco is uniquely positioned to support businesses in identifying, monitoring, and reducing workplace health risks. 

Built on more than 135 years of safety excellence, Arco works meticulously with organisations across the country to deliver practical safety solutions and reliable expertise that protects workers every single day – allowing tradespeople to focus on what they do best, without having to second-guess the equipment designed to keep them safe at work. 

The campaign launches as research reveals respiratory diseases to be the third biggest cause of death in England, with around 1.8 million workers suffering from new or long-term work-related respiratory illnesses. 

Silicosis remains one of the most dangerous occupational health threats facing UK workers. The disease, described by Arco experts as a “silent killer”, is caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust, commonly generated during activities such as cutting, drilling or grinding materials including concrete, stone, and engineered stone. 

An estimated 600,000 workers are exposed to silica dust every year, and tragically, more than 500 construction workers die annually as a result of exposure. 

By shining a spotlight on the issue through the spectacular Breathing Space campaign, safety experts Arco aim to spark conversation – and inspire drastic, immediate action – to combat a disease that often develops silently, over decades. 

Silicosis is a progressive and incurable lung disease. Early symptoms can include breathlessness, fatigue and a persistent cough, with some severe cases leading to disability, premature death, and an increased risk of secondary conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, lung infections, and lung cancer. 

The economic impact of silicosis is also significant, with occupational lung diseases believed to account for more than 400,000 lost working days each year in the UK, costing construction employers an estimated £1 billion annually. 

Respiratory disorders cost the wider economy £11.1 billion every year, with £10 billion falling directly on the NHS. 

While silicosis typically develops after 10-20 years of exposure, higher levels of silica dust can cause a more rapid onset. 

Despite the scale of the issue, silicosis is an entirely preventable disease when the correct workplace controls are in place. 

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, employers in the UK must limit workers’ exposure to silica dust, including a requirement to conduct thorough risk assessments, and the implementation of preventative measures such as dust extraction, wet cutting methods and appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE). 

As an expert safety partner for workplaces, Arco supports businesses across the UK in implementing these controls through a strategic, end-to-end approach across the hierarchy of control, combining safety products, specialist training and consultancy to empower organisations to effectively manage workplace hazards. 

Alex Turgoose, respiratory product manager at Arco, said: “Silicosis and other respiratory diseases caused by exposure to silica dust remain a serious and entirely preventable risk in UK workplaces. 

“Respiratory illnesses can lead to life-changing health problems, disability and even death where workers are unnecessarily exposed.

“Through our Breathing Space activation in Sheffield, we want to bring visibility to a disease that too often goes unnoticed until it is too late. By raising awareness, we hope to encourage employers and workers alike to take proactive steps to protect respiratory health. 

“Preventative action must be prioritised. Employers should implement effective controls to remove dust at source, ensure proper ventilation and provide appropriate industry-standard respiratory protective equipment. 

“Monitoring crystalline silica levels through real-time exposure technology is also critical to protecting workers and maintaining workplace compliance.

“We are proud to support the APPG on Respiratory Health in its work and continue to urge the Government to act on its findings and recommendations. 

“By working together with industry partners and regulators, we can significantly reduce the risk of silicosis across some of the UK’s most vital industries.”

More information about Arco’s research into silicosis can be found on the company’s website. www.arco.co.uk/pr/what-is-silicosis