If you work with concrete, masonry and similar materials, you have to be concerned about the presence of silica. This dangerous substance poses a serious risk to the health and safety of all who are exposed to it. If it floats in the air, it can get into the lungs. Once present, silicosis can develop. This disease has no cure. It requires everyone to take precautions. These extend beyond face masks and breathing apparatus. In keeping a concrete cutting and drilling workplace silica free, companies need to look at their cleaning practices. They should utilize the capabilities of a concrete dust vacuum to remove the threat from their employees.
The Issue of Silica and Other Dust Particles
Dust is common in various industries. If you cut or drill concrete, you are forced to contend with rising dust everywhere. The dust will rise and float everywhere in the workplace or space posing a threat to employee health and safety. Silica dust is a common element in a variety of rocks and minerals including:
- Sand
- Quartz
- Brick clay
- Granite
Cement dust can contain amounts of silica as well as other elements. When workers are exposed to these substances, they can suffer from a variety of health-related problems including
- Eye, ears and nose irritation
- Irritation to the throat and the upper respiratory system
- Skin irritation
- Thickening or cracking of the skin
- Severe skin damage
- Silicosis
The last problem is the most severe of all the potential issues arising from breathing in or otherwise being exposed to concrete or other forms of dust containing silica. Silica is a lung carcinogen. It may be disabling. It can also be fatal. Silicosis has no cure.
Using a Concrete Dust Vacuum
A concrete dust vacuum is one way to help reduce the instance of a variety of skin and lung health issues. It is a vacuum, similar in construction to domestic models. However, it is more powerful and specifically designed to handle certain materials. Excessive dust is easily removed providing the right industrial system is employed and the operators and maintenance crew know how to employ it correctly. Some plants, such as clinker plants, use a central vac system to capture the dust before it creates problems. Other plants have stationary industrial vacuums that remain in one place and remove the dust from that spot.
The Concrete Dust Vacuum
Excessive dust can be deadly to employees who work cutting or drilling cement and other related materials. It is also capable of interfering with the optimal functioning of equipment. To avoid the serious consequences of either, companies can install a suitable concrete dust vacuum.