this post was submitted on 19 Dec 2024
132 points (98.5% liked)

Danger Dust

370 readers
15 users here now

A community for those occupationally exposed to dusts, toxins, pollutants, hazardous materials or noxious environments

Dangerous Dusts , Fibres, Toxins, Pollutants, Occupational Hazards, Stonemasonry, Construction News and Environmental Issues

#Occupational Diseases

#Autoimmune Diseases

#Silicosis

#Cancer

#COPD

#Chronic Fatigue

#Hazardous Materials

#Kidney Disease

#Pneumoconiosis

#The Environment

#Pollutants

#Pesticides

and more

Please be nice to each other and follow the rules : []https://mastodon.world/about

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

A father-of-three who was given weeks to live has died after inhaling 'lethal' dust from kitchen worktops in his job.

Marek Marzec, 48, originally from Poland, had been working as a stoneworker in the UK since 2012.

Having cut kitchen worktops in 'appalling working conditions' throughout his career, he eventually developed silicosis - a long-term lung disease caused by the inhalation of large amounts of crystalline silica dust.

The disease had reached such an advanced stage that he was given just weeks to live at the end of October.

all 15 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] graycube@lemmy.world 45 points 7 months ago (1 children)

If you are cutting or polishing stone, wear a mask. This is not a new idea.

[–] jared@mander.xyz 29 points 7 months ago (4 children)

It's weird that so many would rather die than put on a mask.

[–] hraegsvelmir@lemm.ee 22 points 7 months ago

A lot of trade work has dumb, macho work culture. Current safety standards and PPE requirements have also proven so effective in many cases, the current generation don't know anyone who has suffered the horrible consequences of ignoring these regulations and assume it's all overblown, nanny state nonsense as a result.

[–] SkaveRat@discuss.tchncs.de 10 points 7 months ago (1 children)

But wearing a mask is not manly!

[–] jared@mander.xyz 2 points 7 months ago
[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 6 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

A lot of crappy jobs don't provide them, and buying your own isn't economically feasible when you have a crappy job.

[–] PlantDadManGuy@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, no, sorry. A decent respirator is like $25.

[–] Anticorp@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

And $25 is like your discretionary income for half a week.

[–] ramenshaman@lemmy.world 15 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Perhaps we should choose different materials for kitchen worktops

[–] PlantDadManGuy@lemmy.world 12 points 7 months ago

Or stonecutters should wear a respirator.

[–] Bampot@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago

Why is RPE the last resort or last line of protection?

RPE can only protect the wearer. Control measures at source (at the point where hazardous substances are released into workplace air), such as local exhaust ventilation or enclosures, protect all those working in the area.

So, only use or provide RPE as a last line of choice for respiratory protection. Consider other control measures before deciding upon RPE.

https://www.hse.gov.uk/respiratory-protective-equipment/faq.htm#before-providing-rpe-employees

[–] Grass@sh.itjust.works 1 points 7 months ago

man I wear a respirator just to go outside for a bike ride. maintaining smooth face for a proper seal is a pain in the ass but there are ways to die with less suffering.