Between 2025 and 2026, the Swedish Work Environment Authority will carry out a nationwide inspection initiative across construction, groundwork and industrial sectors. The focus is on chemical risks and exposure to silica dust – an invisible but potentially deadly hazard that can cause serious illness and, in the worst cases, death.
The aim is to reduce exposure through better knowledge, proper protective measures and effective workplace routines.
“Silica dust is easy to underestimate because you can’t see it. But the particles can reach deep into the lungs and cause silicosis or lung cancer. Both employers and employees need to understand the risks and how to prevent them,” says Anders Vikmyr, Safe At Site.
Knowledge that Protects Lives
Despite major improvements in workplace safety, around 600 people in Sweden die each year from cancers caused by occupational exposure, including chemicals and silica dust. Over 800 workplaces will be inspected between November 2025 and December 2026. The inspections focus on risk assessments, measures to reduce exposure, proper protective equipment – and ensuring that mobile plants handling quartz-containing materials are reported to the authority.
TwinSite – Digital Training on Silica Dust
Safe at Site’s training platform TwinSite offers interactive courses for the construction and civil engineering industries. The Twinsite Silica Dust course helps participants understand how silica is formed, its health impacts, and how to minimise exposure in everyday work.
The training is delivered in an on-site VR environment and is used by companies that want to increase awareness of occupational risks in an effective, accessible and engaging way.
“When knowledge becomes part of everyday work, behaviours change. That’s exactly what TwinSite is about – making it easy to do the right thing,” says Anders Vikmyr.
For a Safer and Healthier Industry
By combining the requirements of the authorities with practical training and modern technology, Safe at Site wants to help ensure that no one has to get sick from their work. Training courses are of course updated based on the latest AFSs that came into force at the turn of the year.
For more information about the Quartz Dust training and other courses in the work environment:
www.safeatsite.com/twinsite
