Preventing and protecting your workers from silica dust is getting easier. Prevention from respirable silica dust exposure is gaining momentum, and OSHA has laid out direct actions for employers in their Table 1 directory. The combination of dust extractor, dust attachment, power tool, and personal protection equipment is at the heart of protection. Bosch Power Tools has developed a relationship with 3M to provide their users with a comprehensive solution. We have outlined some of the most valuable aspects of this relationship below.
Bosch Provides Power, Protection, and Prevention
The heart of the silica dust prevention system is the dust extractor. The Bosch VAC140 12 Gallon HEPA Ready Auto Start, Auto Clean Dust Extractor and VAC090 9 Gallon HEPA Ready Auto Start, Auto Clean Dust Extractor will give you the foundation needed to keep your workers safe during their work day and improve efficiency in the process.
Bosch Dustless Solutions
99.97% of Particles 0.3 Microns
In addition to the dust extractor, the HEPA filter will increase the extractor’s efficiency by capturing 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger. In addition to the increased efficiency, the Bosch Dust Extractors offer a Self-Cleaning feature to prevent suction airflow loss at the filter. Every 15 seconds, the unit will reverse air flow to one-half of the filter for cleaning while using the other one-half to provide the needed filtration. This protects the worker throughout the operation and keeps downtime to a minimum.
New Drilling Accessories Assist In Collection
Bosch Dust Extractors are not the only component in solving this issue. Bosch also offers many accessories that assist in the collection process.
The Speed-Clean bits are designed to collect the silica dust and debris at the source when they are created. Using an internal fluted bit, dust extraction port, and solid carbide drilling tip are among the market’s cleanest and fastest drilling bits.
New Attachments Allow You To Keep Your Old Tools
An accessory specifically designed to collect dust and debris cannot be used at all times, so Bosch has you covered with a series of Attachments when these situations arise. The HDC100 SDS Plus Dust Collection Attachment is designed to retrofit to your Bosch Bulldog Hammer Drill and, with the use of a Bosch Dust Extractor, may provide the needed protection.
If the hammer drills in your fleet are larger units, you will want to investigate the HDC200 and HDC250 SDS Max Dust Collection Attachments. These unique items fit directly onto the extractor hose, and the suction adheres to the drilled surface. Their design allows you to use your current core bits and solid bits, helping lower the cost of compliance.
Grinding, Cutting, and Tuckpointing Solutions
If prevention and protection during concrete grinding and tuck pointing is your concern, Bosch still has you covered. The 18SG-5E small angle grinder guard connects a dust extractor for your surface grinding needs. If you are into cutting concrete, you will be happy to know that Bosch has multiple solutions. The 18DC-5E 4-1/2″ to 5″ Extraction Guard and 18DC-6E 6″ Extraction Guard allows you to use your small grinders to cut concrete, while the 19DC-7 and 19DC-9 extraction guards will enable you to use your more giant 7″ or 9″ grinder for cutting applications.
The dedicated Bosch 1775E 5″ Tuckpoint Grinder provides an excellent solution for those who perform tuckpointing tasks. The 8.5Amp 11,000 RPM motor is designed to match up with a wider tuckpoint diamond wheel, and the specially designed guard provides the needed dust collection.
3M Personal Protection From Dust
OSHA Table 1 refers to many tasks employees are asked to perform regularly. They have outlined what kind of personal protection equipment (PPE) is needed for those tasks, along with the manufacturer’s requirements. Several levels of protection are required, but the two most common levels for the construction industry are APF10 and APF25.
APF10 for your basic tasks
OSHA has designated level APF10 for tasks that can be completed with little exposure to employees, but they require minimal respiratory protection. Disposable respirators (particulate dust masks, half-face respirators, or full-face respirators with disposable filters) with a N95/P95 rating are sufficient to protect employees from silica exposure. Still, unfortunately, it is not that simple. To work correctly, these respirators need a clean seal between the user’s face and the respirator.
This requires the user to be clean-shaven and to have completed a certified fit test by the company’s designated competent person. The fit kits are available from 3M and are designed to fit their disposable respirators properly. Suppose the employee is required to wear a disposable respirator 30 days out of a year. In that case, OSHA is mandating that the company provide a Baseline Lung Function Exam, including x-rays for a starting point and a follow-up exam every three years after that for prevention.
APF25 For High-Exposure Tasks
Tasks that give off more than average amounts of concrete silica dust will have a designated level of APF25 in OSHA Table 1. Although this requires a higher level of protection, offering protection does not become more complex. 3M has a full line of Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR) available for this level. The PAPR has a contained filter and a fan that moves outside air through the filter and then pumps it through a hose attached to a helmet that the user wears.
The air movement will create a positive airflow, thus eliminating the need for a seal against the user’s face. When effectively using a PAPR, a fit test is not needed. If a PAPR must be worn 30 days out of a year, the employee must participate in the Baseline Lung Function Exam and be rechecked every three years.
When Manufacturers Work Together, Everybody Wins.
Bosch and 3M have shown the industry that cooperation and collaboration can be beneficial to the safety of the workers in their industry. Both manufacturers bring their expertise to this newly publicized issue to assist companies in protecting their workers for years to come.
2 Comments
Patricia Cortez
March 30, 2020 at 2:23 pmWe would like price on the silica dust masks please.
Acme Tools
March 31, 2020 at 8:00 amHello, Thank you for your question. Please contact our Customer Support department at support@acmetools.com and they will be able to assist you with your pricing request.
Thank you,
Acme Tools