Our guide to dust control has been set out to give you the main facts and point you in the right direction of controlling dust for you, your employees and even equipment.
The facts
Three main types of dust
Damage from long exposure to dust may not be known until it is too late. They take years to develop. You might think its only dust, but when irreversible damage to your lungs takes hold then even a simple breath could be a struggle.
When are you at risk
Assess the Risks
Control the Risks
STOP DUST- Before beginning a job are there options in place to stop or greatly reduce dust around you? This can be selecting the correct tools, such as saws specifically made for the job, or going old school. A block splitter will do the exact same job as cut-off saw, can you connect a dust vacuum up to your tool when sanding?
WATER- This does not mean soaking the material before beginning the task, It needs to be used correctly at the right time and in the correct quantity. Depending on what tool you are using, seek advice from the manufacturer guidelines.
LAST DEFENCE- Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is the last line of defence in dust protection. Any RPE used must be suitable for the user, wearing a disposable face mask over a long period of time can become quite uncomfortable, can a more permanent solution be used? Also, remember when wearing a face mask, the user must be clean shaven allowing a tight seal.
COMBINE: To reduce the amount of dust in the air, think about using air scrubbers, sealing off areas and limiting access to them and wear work clothing that will not trap dust.
Review the Controls
Further advice is available from the HSE website here, we recommend you wear the correct PPE or RPE for the job or consult a qualified health and safety or occupational health expert for further information.
This blog is not exhaustive, use your common sense, if the task you do makes dust then protect yourself.