You are the site manager on a refurbishment project. A subcontractor begins cutting concrete internally, generating significant dust. They state that operatives are wearing disposable masks so work can continue. As the manager, what is the most appropriate action under health and safety legislation?

Question

TheoryPractice · Accepted Answer

Stop the work and ensure suitable control measures are implemented in line with COSHH before allowing it to continue. Under COSHH and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, exposure to hazardous substances such as respirable silica must be prevented or adequately controlled. The site manager has a duty to stop unsafe work and ensure suitable controls (e.g. extraction, wet cutting, appropriate RPE) are in place before work continues.

Why the other options are incorrect:
• Allow the work to continue as long as operatives are wearing any form of respiratory protection: Generic masks may be inadequate and do not remove the duty to properly assess and control exposure.
• Ask the subcontractor to complete a method statement after the work has finished: Risk assessments and controls must be in place before work starts, not retrospectively.
• Reduce the number of operatives in the area to limit exposure: Reducing numbers does not adequately control hazardous dust exposure.
• Rely on the subcontractor to manage the risk as they are the employer: The principal contractor retains overall responsibility for site safety and cannot delegate it entirely.

You are the site manager on a refurbishment project. A subcontractor begins cutting concrete internally, generating significant dust. They state that operatives are wearing disposable masks so work can continue. As the manager, what is the most appropriate action under health and safety legislation?

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