Specialist Silica Dust Awareness Training
About this Event
Silica dust remains one of the UK’s biggest occupational health risks in construction and maintenance industries, second only to asbestos.
This practical 3-hour face-to-face training course has been developed in collaboration between and to help employers, supervisors, and workers better understand the dangers of respirable crystalline silica (RCS), workplace dust exposure, and the importance of effective respiratory protection.
The course combines occupational health awareness, practical dust control guidance, and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) best practice, including face fit awareness and compliance responsibilities.
Who Should Attend?
This course is ideal for:
Construction & Maintenance Sector
- Facilities management companies
- Housing associations
- Social housing contractors
- Kitchen and bathroom installers
- Construction companies
- Refurbishment and fit-out contractors
- Demolition and civils contractors
- Local authority maintenance teams
- Utilities and infrastructure contractors
Date, Time and Ticket Information
Tuesday 9th September 2026
ACS Training Suite, Kinning Park, Glasgow
3 Hour Face-to-Face Course
Two sessions - 9:30AM Senior Management Session, 1PM Operatives Session
£120 + VAT per person per session
Book before 30th July to receive 10% discount! Use code SILICA10 at the checkout.
Why This Training Matters
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Silica is the biggest risk to construction workers after asbestos.
Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) has been linked to:
- Lung cancer
- Silicosis
- COPD
- Long-term respiratory disease
HSE estimates that silica exposure contributed to the deaths of over 500 construction workers from lung cancer.
Around 4,000 deaths annually are linked to COPD resulting from past workplace exposures, with construction workers considered a significant at-risk group.
Many everyday construction and maintenance tasks generate hazardous silica dust, including:
- Cutting concrete
- Drilling brick
- Grinding surfaces
- Chasing walls
- Sanding materials
- Demolition work
- Stone and tile cutting
The most dangerous dust particles are often invisible to the eye.
Course Content Includes
✔ Understanding silica dust and respirable crystalline silica (RCS)
✔ Health risks associated with silica exposure
✔ HSE guidance and legal responsibilities
✔ COSHH awareness and compliance
✔ Identifying high-risk tasks and materials
✔ Practical dust control measures
✔ Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) awareness
✔ Importance of correctly fitted RPE
✔ Face fit testing awareness
✔ Workplace control strategies and good practice
Included With Your Booking
All attendees will receive complimentary access to the Silica Awareness & RPE Face Fitting Mobile App, including following tools and resources:
✔ Legislation Library
✔ Regulatory Advisor
✔ RPE advisor
✔ Hazard identifier
✔ COSHH Printable Guide
✔ Respirator Colour Guide
Delivered in Collaboration
This training is delivered jointly by ACS and RPE2FIT, over 100 years of combined expertise in:
- Occupational health and workplace safety
- Asbestos and airborne hazard awareness
- Respiratory protection
- Face fit testing and compliance support
Together, we provide a practical and informed approach to reducing workplace respiratory risks.
Spaces are limited to ensure optimum learning outcomes for delegates.
If you're having issues booking this course, please contact us at [email protected].
Not ready to book just yet?
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Agenda
Silica Dust Awareness and Background
Host: Emma Willey
Info: Emma Willey brings over 30 years of expertise to the Health & Safety industry, building her career from hands-on
asbestos testing to leading the award-winning ACS Group. As one of the first female asbestos analysts in Scotland,
she has worked through every operational role from field technician to UKAS Quality Manager before becoming
Managing Director in 2023.
With a Mathematics and Management MA from St Andrews University, Emma combines deep technical knowledge
with practical experience. She has literally sweated in asbestos enclosures, crawled through ducts in full PPE, and
conducted microscopy analysis across residential, commercial and industrial settings.
Emma's expertise extends beyond compliance into wellbeing. Following her experience surviving the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, she developed innovative approaches that integrate traditional safety practices with wellbeing
management, including applying Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts to improve workplace communication.
RPE & Practical Dust Control Guidance
Host: Julia McDonald
Info: Julia is a BSIF Fit2Fit Accredited Qualitative and Quantitative Face Fit Tester and Trainer. She has been in this
Industry for over eight years and has developed the business to include a variety of Health and Safety
solutions for clients. She is a qualified teacher and has taught in residential schools. Her passion and dedication,
is to use these skills to raise awareness in the Health and Safety Industry.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 154.72
