Protected: Identifying OHS gaps in the bitumen industry

Identifying OHS gaps in the bitumen industry

The Challenge

“The asphalt smells completely different to when I started 10 years ago. The fuming levels and smoke now makes you sick and is unbearable. I started on a footpath crew and was barrow boy for a long time – the fumes and smell never used to make me sick and I was right in the thick of it.” [Australian Wokers’ Union survey]

The use of bitumen in the road work industry poses significant health risks due to the emissions it produces when laid at high temperatures. Bitumen fume exposure has been associated with acute health effects such as dizziness, nausea and respiratory discomfort, raising alarms among workers and industry stakeholders.

Data from an Australian Workers’ Union survey revealed that 76% of road workers were concerned about the long-term effects of exposure to bitumen fumes. The lack of standardised testing regimes and inadequate safety measures further compound the challenge of ensuring the well-being of road construction workers.

Our Response

ISCRR carried out two pieces of research to identify the occupational health and safety gaps associated with bitumen fume exposure.

  1. An Evidence Review to identify the risk factors associated with bitumen fume exposure and to identify strategies to minimise health risks.
  2. An Environmental Scan to profile the current industry standards, which included key informant interviews of asphalt company and union representatives.

This research was disseminated to key stakeholders including WorkSafe Victoria, the Victorian Department of Transport, the Australian Workers’ Union, and other industry interest groups.

 

The Results

  1. Risk Reduction Initiatives:
    • Stakeholders Forum: A collaborative platform was established to guide changes in road-making practices and enhance safety measures across the industry.
    • Development of Guidance Material: Best practice guidelines were created to promote safer work practices and raise awareness among workers about the risks associated with bitumen fume exposure.
    • Encouraging Further Research: The importance of conducting research on the impacts of using recycled content in asphalt products was emphasized to better understand and mitigate potential health risks.

2. Reduction of Fuming Loads: Our research findings informed the Victorian Department of Transport and local municipal councils, leading to the implementation of measures to reduce bitumen temperatures. These temperature control strategies effectively reduced fuming loads, thereby minimizing worker exposure to harmful emissions.

3. Standardized Testing Regime: Based on the identified gaps in the industry, a standardised testing regime for fumes and vapours in asphalt products was introduced. This regime ensures consistent monitoring and evaluation of air quality to protect workers from potential health hazards.

4. Increased Awareness and Communication: ISCRR collaborated with the AWU to develop research communication materials that effectively disseminated the findings to a wider audience. These efforts raised awareness among industry stakeholders about the occupational health risks associated with bitumen fume exposure, promoting a culture of safety and informed decision-making. Our video below is part of this effort to increase awareness.