Managing construction dust in line with HSE guidance
Construction dust is more than just a nuisance; it's a silent killer in the construction industry. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new "Dust Kills" campaign to raise awareness of the risks associated with construction dust and ensure compliance with necessary safety measures.
Recent figures from the HSE suggest that construction dust, specifically silica, contributes to over 500 deaths annually within the sector. Moreover, it's estimated that around 4,000 individuals succumb each year to work-related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) caused by dust. With the HSE's campaign now in full swing and site inspections taking place from May to July, it's more important than ever to understand and mitigate these risks.
Sources of dust
Three major types of dust are typically present on construction sites:
Silica dust - Derived from materials like sand, sandstone, and granite, silica dust, or Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS), this is produced during tasks like cutting, grinding, or drilling construction substances such as concrete and mortar. This dust is particularly harmful, so the HSE has a specific guide for controlling exposure.
Non-silica dust - Materials such as gypsum, cement, limestone, marble, and dolomite, which contain little to no silica, also produce dust during cutting, which can mix with silica dust.
Wood dust - Arising from extensive use of wood in construction, whether softwood, hardwood, or products like MDF and chipboard.
Dust generation on construction sites is influenced by the following factors, which the HSE will be inspecting closely in their upcoming site visits:
Equipment Type- High-energy tools like cut-off saws, grinders, wall chasers, and grit blasters create substantial dust in short periods.
Work Method - Activities like dry sweeping produce more dust compared to vacuuming or wet brushing.
Work Area - Enclosed spaces tend to accumulate more dust.
Duration - The more time spent working in an area, the more dust accumulates.
Dust management strategies
The key to safeguarding workers' health lies in effective dust management. Here are some strategies that should be adopted, which are based on the HSE’s guidance:
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Planning - Limit Dust Generation
Before work begins, find ways to minimise dust generation. Options might include acquiring the correct size of building materials to limit cutting, or using less powerful tools or alternative methods that generate less dust. Innovative thinking can often reveal new approaches to tasks that significantly reduce dust creation, and potentially cost.
Controlling Airborne Dust
Methods to control airborne dust include:
- Construction-grade durability and mobility.
- Resilient Solight-ecco? tires resistant to heat, water, and punctures.
- Hilti AirBoost for consistent, high-level dust extraction.
- Live performance display for real-time filter and suction status.
Location
You should do your best to keep dust to a minimum, but to manage any residual dust bear the following in mind. Stay aware of dust clouds outdoors, observing wind directions, and indoors anticipate dust buildup. Always wait for dust to settle before entering a workspace, and where dust is apparent, consider further preventive measures or extraction.
Remember, the assumption that outdoor work negates dust risks is misleading. Unpredictable air movements can still expose workers to dust, regardless of distance from the source. Many tasks involve operating near dust-generating tools, so the outdoors doesn't fully remove risk.?
With effective strategies, we can mitigate the dangers of construction dust, ensuring safety for everyone on site. Stay informed and stay safe. For more information, refer to the HSE's?guidelines on managing construction dust?and the?ongoing "Dust Kills" campaign.
Call the team on 0800 464 7060, send us an email?[email protected]?or?find your local depot.?