In the new guidance, the TUC outlines the case for stronger action against dust and argues that the current standards used for the assessment of dust exposure in the workplace are “totally inadequate”.

The publication says that there is now “clear scientific evidence” to suggest that the current UK limits for inhalable and respirable dust should be “much lower”.

The union 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. This view is supported by the Institute of Medicine, an independent, non-profit organisation that works outside of government to provide unbiased and authoritative advice to decision-makers and the public.

The TUC has looked at a range of dusts that are often found in the workplace, including silica, coal dust, talc and kaolin, and argues that even at current legal levels, a significant number of workers could be developing significant reductions in their lung function with profound results for future health.

As a result, the TUC is seeking an urgent review of the legal standards and greater enforcement of existing ones. In the meantime, it believes that employers and unions should agree lower industry-wide standards to protect workers.

Commenting on the issue, Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC, said, “Because disease and death caused by the various types of dust can take many years to develop, both employers and regulators take them far less seriously than deaths caused by injury, yet they are just as tragic for both the workers and their families.”