More than 250 deaths per year in underground mining are attributed to silicosis, claims Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), as well as other dusts, is generated through different processes and conditions specific to underground occupational environments.

• According to Mining Technology, there are over 2,000 underground mines still in operation worldwide
• More than 250 deaths per year in underground mining are attributed to silicosis, claims MSHA
• According to MSHA, more than a million miners in the USA are exposed to dangerous levels of silica
• The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) report that from 2006 to 2011, mine explosions accounted for nearly 1/4 of mining-related deaths in the USA

• Construction dust
• Respirable dust
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)

• Nitrogen Dioxide
• Hydrogen Sulphide
• Sulphur Dioxide
• Flammable gases
• Oxygen
• Methane
• Ammonia

• Drilling into rock + existing structures
• Excavation of rocks
• Lack of effective ventilation
• Loading + unloading of materials
• Transportation + use of machinery
• Transportation of raw materials

• Blasting into natural structures
• Drilling natural structures
• Excavation of rock
• Natural deposits in rocks
• Use of vehicle + machine engines
• Lack of ventilation
• Rock bursts

The International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) report occupational diseases contribute to nearly 2.5 million annual deaths in mining + metallurgy industries. Exposure to hazardous particulates + gases play a major role in this.

• The ICMM reports occupational diseases are the leading cause of mining & metal fatalities globally
• Occupational diseases contribute to 2.4 million of the estimated 2.78 million annual deaths from occupational injury and illness — over 86%, according to the ICMM
• 25-33% of small-scale gold miners suffer from chronic metallic mercury vapour intoxication according to UN Environment Programme
• 400 million tonnes of minerals are produced in the UK each year according to the Mineral Products Association

• Asbestos particulates
• Copper powder
• Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions (DEEE)
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
• Gold + other mataliferous dusts
• Other airborne dusts + mists

• Carbon Dioxide
• Hydrogen Sulphide
• Sulphur Dioxide
• Mercury vapour
• Methane

• Blasting rock + other raw materials
• Crushing rock + other raw materials
• Demolition of rock structures
• Use of certain machinery

• Blasting rock + other raw materials
• Decay of organic matter
• Processing rocks + raw materials
• Use of certain machinery
• Use of diesel vehicles

The National Institute of Health (NIH) reports that 110 million people  are exposed to welding fumes at work in various industries. Various fumes and metal dust exposure can be generated through different forms of welding and other methods.

• NIH reports that approximately 11 million people work as welders worldwide
• NIH continue that 110 million people are exposed to welding  fumes at work in various industries
• Oxford Economics determines that 40.5 million people work with in the steel industry’s global supply chain

• Cadmium dust + fumes
• Nickel dust + fumes
• Welding dust + fumes
• Zinc dust + fumes

• Flammable gases
• Nitrous oxides
• Ozone

• Brazing
• Foundry works
• Plasma + laser cutting
• Soldering
• Smelting
• Welding

• Arc welding
• Heating metals
• Welding

According to Health + Safety International, 1-in-10 tunnel workers are at risk of developing silicosis in Australia. Exposure to crystalline silica, as well as other types of hazardous dust are common in tunnelling due to various types of tunnelling processes.

• According to Yahoo Finance, global tunnel construction projects pipeline stands at $1.32 trillion
  
• The tunnelling market currently represents 6 to 7% of the global infrastructure construction market, according to The International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association

• According to British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), 1-in-10 tunnel workers are at risk of developing silicosis in Australia

• According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in 2019-20 there were 8 fatalities and more than 200 incidents related to harmful gas exposure in the UK, including in underground construction

• Arsenic dusts
• Construction dust
• Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM)
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
• Wood dust

• Nitrogen Dioxide
• Hydrogen Sulphide
• Sulphur Dioxide
• Oxygen
• Flammable gases
• Methane
• Ammonia

• Drilling into rock + existing structures
• Excavation of rocks
• Lack of effective ventilation
• Loading + unloading of materials
• Transportation + use of machinery
• Transportation of raw materials

• Blasting into natural structures
• Drilling natural structures
• Excavation of rock
• Natural deposits in rocks
• Use of vehicle + machine engines

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) reports that the 300 million workers in the global textile and garment industry are disproportionately exposed to various occupational hazards and risks, including hazardous chemicals and various dusts.

• According to IOSH, the global textile and garment industry employs 300 million people

• IOSH reports that the 300 million workers are disproportionately exposed to various occupational hazards and risks, including hazardous chemicals
• It’s reported by UN Environment Programme that every year across the world, 92 million tonnes of textile waste is produced
• By 2030, global apparel consumption is projected to rise by 63%, from today’s 70 million tons to 105 million tons according to UK Parliament

• Cotton dust
• Dyestuff dust
• Fabric dust
• Wool dust
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)

• Formaldehyde
• Solvents
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

• Backwinding materials
• Carding materials
• Handling dry powders
• Handling raw materials
• Winding materials
• Sandblasting jeans

• Blending materials
• Handling raw materials
• Textile finishing

An estimated 600,000 workers are exposed to silica in the UK each year according to the British Safety Council, which is generated in various different ways across multiple occupational environments, including stonemasonry and worktop manufacturing.

• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health magazine reports more than 230 million workers worldwide are exposed to crystalline silica each year, linked to engineered stone
• According to British Safety Council, an estimated 600,000 workers are exposed to silica in the UK each year, with causes  linked to use of engineered stone
• Lung Foundation Australia reports up to 600,000 Australian workers are currently exposed to silica dust with key links to engineered stone use

• Construction dust
• Fine engineered stone
• Respirable dusts
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)

• Drilling + chiselling stone
• Grinding + cutting stone
• Lack of wet methods
• Polishing stone
• Poor ventilation
• Use of engineered stone over natural stone

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports 5,000 workers suffer from work-related ill health in Waste Management in Great Britain, which can come from exposure to fumes and dusts like chemical waste.

• Employment in the waste and recycling industry is estimated at 6.9 million (0.2%) of the total global employment according to International Labour Organisation (ILO)
• According to the UN Environment Programme, 2.7 billion people lack access to solid waste collection globally
  
  
• The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports 5,000 workers suffer from work-related ill health in Waste Management in Great Britain

• Asbestos
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
• Construction dusts

• Ammonia
• Chemical + hazardous waste
• Hazardous disinfectants
• Methane
• Solvents

• Failure to manage waste
• Handling hazardous waste
• Inadequate segregation of waste

• Failure to manage waste + water
• Inadequate segregation of waste
• Leaks + spills of chemicals

World Green Building Council reports every year about 100 billion tonnes of hard rock and other raw materials are extracted in quarrying for use across industrial sectors globally. When demolished, drilled into or blasted, these fine materials can become respirable and airborne, posing serious health risks to workers.

• World Green Building Council reports that every year about 100 billion tonnes of hard rock and other raw materials are extracted for use across the buildings and construction sector globally
• UK Green Building Council reports that in the UK, construction, demolition and excavation account for 60% of material use
  
• 1/5 (21%) people in the mining and quarrying sectors have been harmed at work in the past 2 years according to Lloyd’s Register Foundation

• Construction dust
• Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions
• Quarry + aggregate dust
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
• Hard rock

• Carbon Monoxide
• Hydrogen Sulphide
• Formaldehyde
• Flammable gases
• Methane

• Cutting into hard rocks
• Drilling into hard rocks
• Demolition of hard rocks
• Use of certain machinery
• Transportation of hard rocks

• Blasting rock + other raw materials
• Handling hard rocks
• Processing rocks + raw materials
• Transportation of materials
• Use of explosives
• Use of diesel vehicles

The National Institute of Health reports oil + gas industry occupational fatality rate is 2.5 x higher than the construction industry. A factor causing this is exposure to hazardous chemicals, fumes and particulates, such as Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM).

• Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development highlights over 100 million full-time equivalent jobs are sustained by the global ocean economy, including offshore
  
  
• National Institute of Health reports oil + gas industry occupational fatality rate is 2.5 x higher than the construction industry and 7 x higher than general industry
• According to the International Energy Agency, gas and diesel attributes to 33% of oil products consumed worldwide

• Diesel Particulate Matter
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)

• Carbon Dioxide
• Hydrogen Sulphide
• Methane
• Diesel + other gas leaks

• Use of diesel engines + vehicles
• Use of machinery
• Use of silica in fracturing
• Sanding wood

• Extraction processes
• Hydraulic fracturing
• Leaks + spills
• Use of machinery

The National Institute of Health reports that over 60 million workers across the globe are exposed to wood dust in the workplace. This can result in various occupational respiratory illnesses such as
silicosis and asthma.

• According to World Wide Fund (WWF), 15 billion trees are cut down every year worldwide
• Wood dust is one of the leading causes of occupational asthma in the UK, which in turn is responsible for 10-20% of all cases of adult asthma according to Health Research Authority
• The National Institute of Health reports that 62 million workers (2% of the global workforce) are occupationally exposed to wood dust

• Hardwood dust
• Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
• Sawdust
• Softwood dust

• Formaldehyde
• Volatile Organic Compounds

• Chipping wood
• Chiselling wood
• Cutting wood
• Sanding wood
• Sawing wood
• Settled dust being disturbed

• Finishing wood products
• Painting wood
• Polishing wood
• Restoring wood
• Smoke from charcoal production