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Online Dust Awareness Training

25.00+ VAT

Dust Awareness Training Course

4.5 (46 reviews)
Understand safety practices related to work dust exposure RoSPA Assured

Unlimited Resits Customer Support Instant Access

£25.00 +VAT per person

Course information
  • Certificate on Successful Completion
  • Access course on Desktop, Laptop or Tablet
  • 15 Multiple Choice Questions
  • Course Duration: 30 Minutes
  • CPD Points: 1

Our online Dust Awareness Training Course provides an overview of the health risks associated with occupational dust exposure. Learners will gain an understanding of how to identify workplace dust hazards, recognise potential health risks and apply appropriate control measures to help reduce exposure and support compliance with relevant health and safety legislation.

Exposure to hazardous dust in the workplace can cause serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions, including occupational asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and certain types of cancer. Depending on the type of dust and level of exposure, workers may also experience irritation to their eyes, skin and respiratory system. These risks can arise across a wide range of industries and working environments.

Some hazardous dust particles are too small to be seen with the naked eye, meaning workers may be exposed even when there is no visible dust in the air. Understanding the hazards associated with different types of workplace dust is therefore essential.

By identifying dust hazards, assessing exposure risks and implementing suitable control measures, employers can help protect workers' health and reduce the likelihood of occupational illnesses.

  • Work towards compliance with UK Health and Safety legislation
  • Train online at your own pace with a full audio voiceover
  • Assured by RoSPA & Accredited by CPD
  • Certificate on successful completion
  • Course duration: 30 minutes
  • Unlimited resits at no cost

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Take advantage of our bulk discounts which will reduce your overall cost of training. Better still, any courses you order can be registered to users upto two years later so there's no need to worry about training credits expiring.

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Who is this Dust Awareness for?

This Dust Awareness Training course is suitable for anyone working in an environment where exposure to hazardous dust may occur. It is particularly beneficial for employees involved in activities such as cutting, drilling, sanding or handling materials that generate airborne dust.

The course helps learners recognise workplace dust hazards, understand the associated health risks and identify appropriate measures to reduce exposure.

Job roles that may benefit from this training include, but are not limited to:

  • Construction Workers - Exposure to dust from materials such as concrete, bricks and stone, which may contain respirable crystalline silica.
  • Carpenters & Joiners - Working with wood dust, which can cause respiratory conditions, including occupational asthma.
  • Fabricators & Metalworkers - Exposure to airborne dust generated during activities such as grinding, cutting and surface preparation.
  • FBakers & Food Production Workers - Exposure to flour dust and other airborne ingredients that may cause respiratory problems, including occupational asthma.

This online course is also suitable for supervisors and managers responsible for overseeing work activities where dust exposure may present a health risk.

Course Screenshots

  • Dust Awareness Course - Welcome to the online training course
  • Dust Awareness Course - A grain of dust
  • Dust Awareness Course - Asbestos

Course Aim

The aim of this online Dust Awareness Training course is to raise awareness of the health risks associated with workplace dust exposure, including hazards from respirable crystalline silica, wood dust and flour dust.

Learners will develop an understanding of how to identify dust hazards, recognise appropriate control measures and follow safe working practices to help prevent or reduce exposure. The course also highlights the importance of complying with relevant health and safety legislation, including the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.

By the end of the course, learners will have a greater understanding of workplace dust risks and the importance of effective dust control in protecting their own health and that of others.

Learning Objectives

On completion of the course, you should be able to:

  • State how exposure to occupational dust can be harmful to human health
  • List some of the common types of occupational dust
  • Identify the regulations that are in place to protect workers against dust exposure
  • Identify what workplace exposure limits are
  • State some of the methods used to identify dust in the workplace
  • List what should be included in a COSHH assessment
  • List the hierarchy of controls for occupational dust
  • State the importance of emergency preparedness relating to incidents involving occupational dust
  • Identify the roles and responsibilities relating to occupational dust

Course Content

This course is made up of the following modules:

  • An introduction to Dust Awareness

    This section works as an introduction to the course looks at why dust is an ‘invisible killer’ and how occupational dust can harm us.

  • Module 1 - Types of Dust

    In this module the course looks at different types of dust and the industries in which the dust maybe present along with the health impacts each dust can potentially cause.

  • Module 2 - Regulations Relating to Occupational Dusts / WELs

    In this module the course covers the different regulations which cover occupational dusts. This section then looks at what Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) are.

  • Module 3 - Control Measures

    In this final section of the course we look at the control measure requirements and the Hierarchy of Controls to help manage the risks associated with occupational dust. The module then looks at Emergency procedures and what is required should an emergency occur.

Download Course Overview (PDF)

Assessment

On completion of the course lessons and training material an online assessment will automatically unlock. The assessment will contain 15 multiple-choice questions and a mark of 75% or above will be required to pass.

The assessment will be marked instantly and so you will know straight away if you have passed or not. If you don't pass first time there's no need to worry. Unlimited resits at absolutely no additional charge are available so you can retake the assessment again as many times as you need to.

Dust Awareness Certification

Our entire library of training courses is accredited by the CPD Certification Service as adhering to the universally recognised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

This training course and its content has also been assured by RoSPA, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Dust Awareness certificate

Upon passing the online assessment you will have the options to both print and download your Dust Awareness Certificate in PDF format. In addition to this an automated email will also be sent to your chosen email address containing a link to your certificate ensuring you always have access to a copy.

Furthermore, a QR code is displayed on each certificate which when scanned by a smartphone links to our certification database. This allows employers, auditors and local authority inspectors, for example, to establish a certificates validity instantly and at any time.

Common Dust Awareness Training Questions

Employers have a legal duty to provide suitable information, instruction and training to employees who may be exposed to hazardous dust at work.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, employers must assess the risks associated with hazardous substances, including certain types of workplace dust, and take appropriate measures to prevent or adequately control exposure.

Dust awareness training can help employers meet their legal responsibilities by ensuring employees understand the health risks associated with dust exposure, recognise workplace hazards and follow appropriate safety procedures.

Dust awareness training can be completed online, allowing employees to develop an understanding of workplace dust hazards, associated health risks and appropriate control measures without attending a classroom-based course.

Online training offers a flexible way for employers to provide consistent dust awareness education across their workforce, particularly when employees work at different locations or have varying schedules.

However, where employees undertake activities involving hazardous dust exposure, additional task-specific instruction, practical training or supervision may be necessary to ensure they can carry out their work safely.

Employers should determine suitable refresher intervals based on workplace dust exposure risks, employees' responsibilities and their training needs.

Refresher training may be necessary when:

  • New materials, equipment or work processes introduce different dust hazards.
  • Existing dust control measures or safe working procedures change.
  • An incident or near miss highlights gaps in employees' knowledge or working practices.
  • Employees require additional training to maintain their understanding of dust-related risks.

Regularly reviewing training needs helps ensure employees remain aware of workplace dust hazards and understand how to protect themselves and others from harmful exposure.


The Importance of Dust Awareness Training

Dust exposure in the workplace can be controlled by identifying activities that generate hazardous dust, assessing the risks and implementing suitable measures to prevent or reduce exposure.

Common dust control measures can include:

  • Dust extraction: Using suitable local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to capture airborne dust close to where it is generated.
  • Wet working methods: Using water suppression, where appropriate, to reduce the amount of dust released into the air.
  • Safer working practices: Choosing equipment and methods that eliminate or minimise dust generation.
  • Respiratory protective equipment (RPE): Providing suitable, properly fitted respiratory protection where other control measures cannot adequately control exposure.

Employers should prioritise preventing dust exposure at source, rather than relying solely on personal protective equipment. Control measures must also be maintained and reviewed to ensure they remain effective.

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, employers have a legal duty to protect employees and others who may be exposed to hazardous dust through their work activities.

Key employer responsibilities can include:

  • Risk assessments
  • Maintaining control measures
  • Exposure prevention and control
  • Exposure monitoring and health surveillance

Employers must also review their risk assessments and control measures when necessary to ensure they remain suitable and effective in protecting workers' health.

Workplace Scenario
1 / 3

Cutting Concrete Without Adequate Dust Controls

Situation

A construction worker uses a power saw to cut concrete blocks on a building site. Although visible dust is produced, the worker continues without using suitable dust extraction or water suppression equipment.

What went wrong?

Cutting concrete can release respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which can penetrate deep into the lungs. Repeated exposure can increase the risk of serious respiratory diseases, including silicosis and lung cancer.

Key takeaway

Activities that generate silica dust must be properly assessed, with suitable exposure controls in place before work begins. Workers should follow safe working procedures and use the protective measures provided.

Workplace Scenario

Cleaning Wood Dust With Compressed Air

Situation

At the end of a shift, an employee in a woodworking workshop uses compressed air to blow sawdust from machinery and work surfaces. This creates a visible cloud of airborne wood dust that spreads throughout the workshop.

What went wrong?

Using compressed air disperses settled wood dust into the air, increasing the risk of inhalation by the employee and nearby colleagues. Wood dust exposure can cause occupational asthma, while certain hardwood dusts are associated with nasal cancer.

Key takeaway

Wood dust should be removed using suitable dust extraction or vacuum cleaning equipment rather than compressed air. Safe cleaning procedures help prevent unnecessary airborne dust exposure.

Workplace Scenario

Flour Dust Exposure During Food Preparation

Situation

A bakery employee regularly tips bags of flour into a mixing bowl and dusts work surfaces by throwing handfuls of flour into the air. Over time, the employee begins experiencing coughing and breathing difficulties during shifts.

What went wrong?

These working methods generate airborne flour dust, increasing the risk of respiratory irritation and occupational asthma. The employee's symptoms may indicate work-related respiratory problems that require investigation.

Key takeaway

Bakeries should use working methods that minimise airborne flour dust, including careful handling and suitable dust controls. Employees should report respiratory symptoms promptly so potential workplace exposure risks can be investigated.

Course Reviews

4.5.

(46 reviews)

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Understand safety practices related to work dust exposure RoSPA Assured

4.5 (46 reviews)

£25.00 +VAT per person


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Training Management Suite (TMS) included
with orders of 5 or more courses.

Course information
  • Certificate on Successful Completion
  • Access course on Desktop, Laptop or Tablet
  • 15 Multiple Choice Questions
  • Course Duration: 30 Minutes
  • CPD Points: 1

Frequently Asked Questions

Our training is completed online, using only a web browser.

After choosing the courses and completing the online transaction, you'll recieve an email providing access to the course. Use the details to register the course yourself or if it's for someone else, simply forward the email on.

Purchasing training for your team is simple.

Just add the courses you need to your basket and complete the checkout process. If you're purchasing 5 or more courses, we'll provide you with access to our Training Management System (TMS).

The TMS gives you full control over your learners, allowing you to enrol staff, monitor progress, track completion rates, and download certificates.

Once your account is set up, we're happy to show you around the system and help you get the most from its features. If you have any questions, our support team is always here to help at support@train4academy.co.uk.

Yes. We offer automatic discounts on larger orders, and any applicable discount will be applied instantly at checkout across all courses in the basket.

Depending on the number of courses purchased we provide the following discounts below. If you're looking to purchase a higher volume, please contact us and we'll be happy to discuss additional volume discounts.

  • Purchase 10+ courses and recieve 10%
  • Purchase 20+ courses and recieve 20%
  • Purchase 50+ courses and recieve 30%
  • Purchase 75+ courses and recieve 40%
  • Purchase 100+ courses and recieve 50%

Our training can be purchased easily using a debit or credit card.

If you're purchasing a larger volume of training and would prefer to be invoiced, please contact us on 01482 861 040 or email enquiries@train4academy.co.uk.

Our training is designed to fit around your schedule. Everybody receives 2 years from date of purchase, so there's no rush to complete your training course.

You can work through the training at your own pace, pause whenever you need to, and return whenever it's convenient. Your progress is automatically saved, allowing you to pick up exactly where you left off.

Even after you've successfully passed the assessment, you'll still be able to access the training materials whenever you need to refresh your knowledge

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