Hand-held Masonry Saws with Wet Dust Suppression

Hand-held masonry saws that can be used with water to suppress airborne contaminants at the source.


Risks Addressed:

Inhaling silica dust may cause silicosis or lung scarring with prolonged exposure.  Silicosis is an incurable, sometimes fatal, disease.  Exposure to silica also causes lung cancer and other lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tuberculosis, and has been linked to renal disease and rheumatoid arthritis.  A report by OSHA noted that studies “show that using a handheld masonry saw to cut bricks, concrete blocks and similar materials can result in hazardous levels of airborne silica if measures are not taken to reduce dust emissions.  Operating a handheld masonry saw outdoors without dust controls can produce silica exposures in excess of 14 times the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) permissible exposure level (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica in construction of 50 ug/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter of air, which is the same as 0.05 mg/m3, milligrams per cubic meter) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA),   Short-term exposures or exposures from operating saws indoors can be significantly higher (up to 10 mg/m3).” (OSHA Controlling Silica Exposure in Construction – 2009)

There is no evidence yet that engineered nanomaterials have caused harm in exposed workers. However, it is most important that exposures be limited and that precautionary approaches be used to reduce exposure and protect construction workers from the potential hazards of engineered nanomaterials. Nano-size ultrafine titanium dioxide, which can be present in nano-enabled masonry products, has been found to cause inflammation of the lungs and lung cancer in lab animals. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has determined that ultrafine titanium dioxide should be considered a potential occupational carcinogen. Other engineered nanomaterials that may be present in nano-enabled construction materials used in masonry work could also have the potential to cause harm when inhaled. Cutting nano-enabled concrete roofing tiles without engineering controls can generate excessive amounts of airborne dust that if inhaled by workers could increase the risk of developing respiratory disease (West GH, et al 2016)

OSHA has no specific regulation or Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for any engineered nanomaterial. However, NIOSH has a recommended exposure limit (REL) for ultrafine titanium dioxide of 0.3 mg/m3 as a time-weighted average (TWA) concentration for up to 10 hours/day during a 40-hour week. The intent of the REL is to lower the risk to workers of the potential for developing lung cancer.


How Risks are Reduced:

When water is used to suppress dust or silica at or very near the source, dust concentrations in the worker’s breathing zone and exposures are reduced.   In some cases, particularly where work is intermittent or in an area with general ventilation, use of water may be adequate to reduce the need to wear a respirator and the need for an employer’s respiratory protection program. Wet dust suppression is also likely to be effective in reducing concentrations of airborne engineered nanomaterials in a worker’s breathing zone.

Availability

Husqvarna K760/K970/K1260/K3000 Power Cutters with water connection
To obtain information, visit http://www.husqvarna.com or contact 1-800-700-5919 http://www.husqvarna.com/us/construction/company/contact-husqvarna/customer-service/

STIHL TS410/TS410A/TS420/TS420A/TS700/TS800 Professional Cut-Off Machines
To obtain information, visit http://www.stihlusa.com or contact 1-800-467-8445 http://www.stihlusa.com/products/cut-off-machines/professional-cut-off-machines/

Diamond Fast-Cut Hand Saws
To obtain information, visit http://www.diamondproducts.com or contact 1-800-321-5336 custserv@diamondproducts.com