Dust

Exposure to dust is one of the major risks stonemasons are exposed to. Stoneworkers can suffer ill health and disease caused by Respirable Crystaline Silica (RCS) in the stone dust that they breathe in. These include silicosis, lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) – dust particles over 100 times smaller than the sand you might encounter on beaches – is created during work operations involving stone, rock, concrete, brick, mortar, plaster and industrial sand.

The amount of dust you are exposed to depends on a numbers of factors including:

The type of stone you are working (including both natural and artificial/engineered stone);
The type of tool you are using and whether it is a powered or hand held tool
How long you are working with the tool;
How well you are using any extraction system (local exhaust ventilation);
The effectiveness of your mask (respiratory protective equipment);
How your workshop is organised (including segregation of dusty activities and housekeeping arrangements).

There is a clear requirement under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) for employers to assess and control the risks from stone dust exposure.

In addition, where there is a reasonable risk of workers developing silicosis, health surveillance is required.

Vacuuming Dust

When it comes to cleaning up dust, many people brush it, try to blow it away or use a compressed air source. However, these methods will get the dust back up into the air – where it can be breathed in.

Breathing in dust can be bad for your health. Recent evidence suggests that uncontrolled dust exposure may be linked to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Once dust is in the air, it is very hard to control. One of the simplest ways of controlling it is to stop it from getting into the air.

Allowing dust to build up increases the chances of it getting into the air. Keep your workplace clean!

Use a good vacuum cleaner to collect dust. Don’t forget those hard to reach places where dust gathers.
Do not use compressed air to remove dust, either from surfaces or clothing.
Where the use of a vacuum cleaner is impractical, damp down the material before removal.