The Importance of On-Tool Extraction Systems for Controlling Construction Dust
Discover the importance of on-tool extraction systems to combat dangerous construction dust hazards and protect your staff from significant health issues.
Beyond being unpleasant and a nuisance on-site, construction dust can cause serious health issues with problems such as lung cancer, asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and silicosis.
That’s where an effective on-tool extraction system comes in.
In this blog, we discuss the importance of on-tool extraction for construction dust, with the dangers of dust hazards and how to choose the correct system that suits your requirements.
Why On-Tool Dust Extraction is Essential
Numerous construction practices like drilling, saws, grinders, and grit blasters can cause dust to cumulate into the atmosphere. Depending on the machinery, material and environment, you can have a range of dust types, such as silica dust, asbestos, wood dust and cement dust.
Failure to provide adequate on-tool dust extraction can result in the following dust hazards affecting your workers’ health:
- Silicosis
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust, which can lead to lung scarring and inflammation. Not only does silicosis result in breathing issues, but it can also increase the possibility of further respiratory infections. - Asthma
Characterised by the narrowing of the airways and inflammation, asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, a tight chest and shortness of breath. The fine particles in construction dust can trigger asthma attacks or develop asthma in people with no previous respiratory condition. - Bronchitis
Bronchitis is diagnosed when someone suffers inflammation in their bronchial tubes. Bronchitis symptoms involve coughing, mucus production, chest discomfort and occasional fever. Frequent exposure can cause long-term effects with persistent coughing and mucus production. - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD is a progressive lung disease encompassing conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Construction dust is a significant risk to people with COPD, especially when fine particles and toxic substances in silica dust get inhaled.
As an employer, you have a legal duty to prevent and control your employees’ exposure to construction dust. One of the best ways to achieve this is with on-tool extraction.
What is an On-Tool Extraction System?
We can define on-tool extraction as Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) systems applied to tools or machinery that capture construction dust, fumes, and other potentially harmful airborne particles. By minimising the dispersion of construction dust, on-tool extraction systems help protect your workers.
From hoods, ducts, filters, vacuums and blower units, all on-tool extraction systems will involve several individual parts that help capture and contain dust particles. Depending on the specifics and purpose of your device, these parts will include:
- The tool
- Captor hood
- Extraction unit
- Tubing
Each part is essential to the effectiveness of the system and its level of control. Therefore, it’s integral to establish the particulars required from your on-tool extraction system to ensure the best results.
For example, on-tool extraction in woodworking sees the appropriate mechanisms integrated into power saws and sanders to help collect sawdust and wood particles. On the other hand, in welding, on-tool extraction systems are incorporated into welding torches to capture and remove harmful fumes.
While some complete on-tool extraction systems are specific to certain tools, some parts (especially extraction units) are compatible with other tool makes and models.
Whether chemical fumes or asbestos, removing particles at the source makes on-tool extraction an incredibly effective solution for maintaining and fulfilling health and safety regulations.
How to Choose the Right On-Tool Extraction System?
Using compatible parts for your on-tool extraction system is essential to control construction dust. You must pick the right parts for specific tasks and working methods. If you’re unsure of these details, you should involve your workers in the selection process.
We recommend the following guidelines for choosing the most compatible parts:
Extraction Unit
As a portable unit, your extraction unit works as an industrial vacuum and remains a crucial part of the LEV system. The role of the extraction unit is to remove dust from the captor hood, filter it and then store it for safe disposal.
However, achieving this purpose requires choosing the correct extraction unit type, with some extraction units working interchangeably on some tools and not others.
To get the best extraction unit for your purposes, we suggest the following advice when purchasing:
- Pick a H (high) or M (medium) class unit. Both unit classes provide reliable extraction while fitted with low-flow indicators. Only use the L (low) class unit for lower-toxicity dust like gypsum in plasterboard. An official label will present the unit class.
- With the need to remove dust as quickly as it gets generated, check that your extraction unit maintains the appropriate air suction. If you’re unsure, you should ask the manufacturer or supplier.
- Choose a unit with pre-filters or built-in ‘back-flushing’ filter cleaning mechanisms to ensure your unit avoids clogging.
Captor Hood
The captor hood is the most critical part of the LEV system and aims to capture the dust when produced. Often manufactured as part of the power tool, captor hoods can still be compatible and retrofitted with existing equipment.
Picking the correct captor hood requires following these steps:
- Ensure the hood is designed specifically for the tool and work (Ask the manufacturer/supplier if you’re unsure).
- Establish the hood sits close to the work surface when in use as dust can escape between any gaps.
- Consider if the hood is convenient and doesn’t interfere with your working practices.
Tubing
The tubing connects the captor hood to the extraction unit. With less significance, still ensure your tubing is compatible with the correct construction, diameter, and length for the extraction unit, with a secure connection between the hood and unit.
Tools and Accessories
Beyond the on-tool extraction unit, consider how the tools and accessories you use should limit the amount of construction dust produced. For example, sanding blocks/pads or grinding disks should have enough holes to extract the dust.
How to Use and Maintain Your On-Tool Extraction Correctly
Now you have the correct on-tool extraction system, we recommend you follow these guidelines to ensure your system works properly.
Pre-Use
Provide the necessary training to your staff, including pre-use checks and maintenance practices, while fulfilling further health and safety regulations, such as providing other respiratory equipment. Your staff should also be aware of the potential faults and the actions to take if there’s a problem.
During Use
During use, check the hood is as flush as possible with the work surface and that the tubing connects securely between the hood and the extraction unit.
Post-Use and Maintenance
After use, empty the extraction unit into the appropriate disposal bags before cleaning the equipment to avoid corrosion and damage. Further maintenance should involve formal checks once a week, focusing on the flow of air from the extraction unit and whether the filter needs replacing.
A thorough examination and test (TExT) will also ensure your on-tool extraction system remains effective long-term. The TExT is an extensive, systematic examination performed by an appropriate professional after 14 months.
Alongside arranging your TExT, keep a record for future reference, alongside any other maintenance checks.
Speak to On-Tool Extraction Experts
Black Country Safety Inspections provides specialist TeXT of LEV systems accredited with BOHS P601 certification. Our expert team regularly conduct TeXT services to the highest standards, with experience across all LEV system varieties, including on-tool extraction.
Get in touch today for further information about how our on-tool extraction testing can help protect your staff and preserve health and safety standards.