Dust and quartz on site: preventing silicosis

Dust is part of construction, many people think. Yet fine dust from concrete, masonry, tiles, natural stone and sand-cement is one of the biggest health risks in the trade. It often contains quartz, also called crystalline silica. You can barely see the finest particles, but they end up deep in the lungs. After years of exposure this can lead to silicosis: incurable scarring of the lungs. Lung cancer and COPD are also associated with quartz dust. In this blog you will read where quartz dust is released and how to limit it in practice, following the fixed order: first the source, then extraction and water, and only then personal protection.

👷 Craftsmanship also means growing old healthily in the trade. A professional who organises his work so that little dust is released protects himself, his colleagues and the occupants. You do not see that difference in the end result, but you do after twenty years.

Where is quartz dust released?

Quartz is found in many stony building materials. The dust is mainly released during high-speed or high-friction work:

• Sawing and grinding concrete, bricks, tiles and natural stone, for example with an angle grinder and a turbo diamond disc (125 mm).
• Chasing slots for pipes, for example with a wall chaser with dust extraction port.
• Drilling and breaking with a rotary hammer and an SDS-plus concrete drill bit.
• Sanding and grinding concrete and joints.
• Dry sweeping and blowing off dust: this sends the fine dust back into the air.

You can read more about drilling in stony materials in our blog on diamond drilling in tile and concrete.

The fixed order: the occupational hygiene strategy

Dutch health and safety law prescribes a fixed order of measures. Personal protective equipment comes last, because it only works if it fits properly and is always worn.

1. Tackle it at the source: choose a method or material that creates less dust. For example, have elements supplied to size, or choose a method without grinding.
2. Collective measures: extraction on the tool, wet working and good ventilation.
3. Organisational measures: screening off the work area, as few people as possible in the dust zone and alternating tasks.
4. Personal protective equipment: respiratory protection, eye protection and protective clothing.

A legal limit value applies to quartz dust. An employer must assess the exposure and keep it as low as possible. You can read the general basics of safe working in our blog on safe working on the construction site.

Source extraction: catching dust where it is created

The most effective collective measure is extraction directly on the tool. Use tools with an extraction port, such as the wall chaser with dust extraction port, and connect them to a suitable construction vacuum.

• Dust class M is suitable for quartz-containing dust. The VCP35MAC construction vacuum (dust class M) is certified for dust class M and has a HEPA filter.
• Dust class L is intended for less hazardous dust, such as gypsum dust. So use the VCP35LAC construction vacuum (dust class L) for lighter work, not as the only measure when cutting concrete.
• Keep the hose short, check that the extraction hood fits properly and clean or replace the filter according to the manual.
• Empty the vacuum outdoors or into a closed bag, with respiratory protection on.

💡 Switch the construction vacuum on before you start and let it run on for a moment after cutting. That way you also catch the dust still hanging in the extraction hood.

Wet working: binding dust with water

Water binds dust before it goes into the air. Many diamond tools are suitable for wet use; always check the manual of the tool and the disc.

• Moisten the workpiece or the floor with a 2-litre hand pressure sprayer before sweeping or breaking.
• If you work with power tools, never use water with tools that are not designed for it. Water and electricity do not mix.
• Clean up slurry before it dries; dried sludge creates dust again.

Screening off and cleaning

• Screen off the work area with masking film, so the dust does not spread through the whole building.
• Keep others out of the dust zone, or make sure they wear the same protection.
• Vacuum dust with the VCP35MAC construction vacuum (dust class M) instead of sweeping or blowing it off. Blowing off with compressed air is out of the question with quartz dust.

• At the end of the day, also clean your tools and workwear with the vacuum, not by shaking them out.

Personal protective equipment

If dust remains after the other measures, respiratory protection is needed.

• FFP3 for dusty work with quartz, such as sawing, grinding and chasing. For example the Puro FFP3 dust mask with exhalation valve or an FFP3 dust mask.
• FFP2 only for short, less dusty jobs, for example the Aro FFP2 dust mask with exhalation valve or an FFP2 dust mask, and only if the risk assessment allows it.
• A mask only works if it seals properly. Beard hair under the sealing edge lets dust through. Do a quick leak check every time you put it on.
• Protect your eyes with safety goggles or impact-protection goggles with impact protection when grinding.
• Wear a disposable protective coverall for very dusty work, so you do not take the dust home with you.
• Grinding and chasing are noisy: wear earmuffs. More about this in our blog on hearing protection.
• Wear work gloves with nitrile coating and, on site, a safety helmet. You can read how to choose the right glove in our buying guide for work gloves.

⚠️ Do you suspect asbestos, for example in old sheet materials, vinyl flooring, sealant or sprayed coatings? Stop immediately. Asbestos is subject to strict rules and may only be investigated and removed by a certified company.

Checklist for the working day

• Is there a method that creates less dust?
• Is there extraction on the tool and is the construction vacuum suitable for dust class M?
• Can the work be done wet?
• Is the work area screened off and are there no others in the dust zone?
• Are you wearing the right respiratory protection, fitted properly?
• Is the dust vacuumed instead of swept?

Frequently asked questions

Is an FFP2 mask sufficient when grinding concrete?

For dusty work with quartz, FFP3 is usually recommended, in addition to extraction on the tool. A mask is always the last step, not the first.

Why is sweeping a problem?

Dry sweeping sends the finest dust back into the air. Vacuum with a suitable construction vacuum or moisten the floor first.

Is dust class L enough?

For quartz-containing dust, dust class M is the right choice. Class L is intended for less hazardous dust.

Can I see when there is quartz dust in the air?

Not always. The most dangerous particles are so small that you cannot see them. A work area that looks clean can still contain dust.

Read also: Working with an angle grinder: risks and measures and Working safely with chisels: what to watch for

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

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