The TUC is calling for urgent action to reduce dust levels in the workplace, a problem it says is responsible for thousands of deaths in the UK every year. In new guidance sent out to all union safety reps, the TUC argues the current workplace dust exposure standards are “totally inadequate.” It cites research showing that a considerable number of the cases of cancer and lung diseases caused by dusts come from exposure that is well below the current legal limit.

TUC news release. Dust in the workplace, TUC, September 2011 [pdf]. Risks 521.