The lungs are of greatest concern among the occupational diseases that affect the construction workers, not only for their debilitating character, but the compromised quality of life. Considering this scenario, the Construction Social Service (Seconci-SP) has formed a new service: the PPR (Respiratory Protection Program). With the objective of offering an increasingly extensive approach for the prevention and health promotion, the organization will develop the program with their own staff as from November.
It is a set of practices and administrative measures that should be adopted by all companies where the use of RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) is necessary. The program defines the appropriate PPE, medical clearance for use, seal testing, training and refresher training regarding to the correct use, limitations of the protection, maintenance and keeping of the equipment, and monitoring.
The indication of a correct EPR, verification of its performance, training, storing, maintenance, changing and medical assessment of its suitability for the worker must involve careful accompaniment of the company, the workers and, health and safety teams.
According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, more than six million people are exposed to silica dust in a year. Without the proper protection, it can cause silicosis, a disease that causes inflammation in the lung and tuberculosis. It is estimated that two million workers are exposed to silica in the construction. Silicosis is a progressive and irreversible condition. There is no specific treatment for this disease.
Source: Revista CIPA
