Construction Dust Safety Guide When Scabbling or Grinding
Getting rid of dust appropriately and safely is crucial when preparing commercial flooring for any kind of project. Although dust may not seem particularly dangerous, this isn’t exactly the case. Even a tiny amount of dust that is inhaled can cause a great deal of harm. This is why using Extraction equipment will lower the amount of dust in the atmosphere and in turn, the amount you could potentially inhale.
With this in mind, we are going to run through necessary safety precautions relating to dust, when using scabbling or grinding equipment. Let’s get started.
Assessing Your Environment
Scabbling and grinding concrete or other construction materials is a process that is undoubtedly going to produce high levels of dust. If you were to inhale any of this dust, your respiratory system is going to be harmed. The individual using the grinder will be at the highest risk.
Controlling Risk Hazards
Prevention is the greatest cure in terms of safety and this is very much the case in terms of limiting the risk hazards involved with concrete grinding.
You can go about limiting the risks involved in this process for even beginning. For example, this would consist of:
- Identifying architectural finishes that do not need scabbling
- Using high-pressure water jetting
- Using chemical retarders and pressure washing
- casting in proprietary joint formers, for example, mesh formwork
Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)
By the nature of the work you’ll be carrying out, you’re going to need respiratory protective equipment. You’ll need to have RPE with an assigned protection factor of 20. For example, an FFP3 disposable mask or half mask with a P3 filter.
You need to ensure that your RPE is also compatible with other items of personal protective equipment you will be using. For more extensive work that is likely to take over an hour,
You may wish to use powered RPE, this works by utilizing powered respirators – using a motor to pass air through the filter to provide a supply of clean air to the wearer.
Supervision
Ensure controls are properly used and RPE is worn in the correct manner. Ideally, anyone using tight-fitting masks will be clean-shaven and face-fit tested.
Monitoring
You may be required to have a health surveillance programme carried out. Health surveillance is a system of ongoing health checks required by law for employees who are exposed to noise or vibration, ionising radiation, solvents, fumes, dust, biological agents and any kind of substances that are hazardous to health.
At Concept Flooring Technology, we provide a wide range of flooring machinery available for hire as well as dust extractors. Safety is paramount when operating flooring machinery, this is why our knowledgeable team will help you find the right equipment to get the job done. Get in touch with us today for further information about how we can help you.
