The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has highlighted examples of both good and bad practice when it comes to controlling dust on construction sites.
Earlier this month, the HSE launched a month-long inspection drive to target construction to check they are dealing with the risk of occupational lung disease and other respiratory risks created by dust.
It shared an example (above) of a saw it found on a small new-build housebuilding site where a drinks bottle was used as an extraction. An enforcement notice was served on the unnamed site requiring improvements to dust extraction and the use of RPE (respiratory protective equipment).
But the HSE has also found examples of good practice, including a battery powered saw with a battery-powered dust extraction system (above), which the worker could turn on via a remote control on his wrist. He was also wearing a face-fitted FFP3 mask.
Meanwhile, the HSE also found a tiler using a cutter/grinder fitted with its own water suppression bottle (above). The HSE warned that dry cutting or grinding tiles is not harmless and can produce very high levels of silica dust.
Finally, it also used its LinkedIn page to post this video as another example of bad practice, although it is not clear where, or when the video was captured.
