Solution Summary: Rotary Hammers and Hammer Drills with Vacuum Dust Control
Risks Addressed:
Drilling concrete is a high dust activity that in the absence of controls would place workers at risk of lung disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung scarring and silicosis with prolonged exposure. Silicosis is an incurable, sometimes fatal disease. Such disease is well documented in the Vermont granite quarries and stone cutting sheds, and in construction operations. The NIOSH-recommended exposure limit (REL) for silica is 0.05 mg/m3 as a time-weighted average concentration for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour workweek. OSHA has a new construction permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica of 0.05 mg/m3 as an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA).
How Risks are Reduced:
The shrouds partially enclose the bit and have a connection for a vacuum system. When a vacuum system is connected to the shroud, air is drawn into the shroud and past the bit, capturing dust and silica near the point of dust generation. These systems capture dust and silica near the source, reducing concentrations in the worker's breathing zone and his or her exposure. For continuous use, a respiratory protection program and respirators may still be required.
Availability
Metabo BHE20 IDR Electronic Rotary Hammer with Dust Extractor
You may be able to purchase this by searching for local distributors.
http://www.metabo.us
or contact 1-800-638-2264
NIOSH Workplace Solutions Sheet
The National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published a series of “Workplace Solutions”, which are easy-to-understand recommendations from NIOSH research results. Related to this Construction Solution, please find more information on:
Reducing Hazardous Dust Exposure When Dowel Drilling in Concrete
Hilti TE 80-AVR/TE 70-ATC and TE 40-AVR/TE 30-AVR Combihammer and vacuums
To obtain information, visit Hilti Combihammers and Hilti VC 300-17X Vacuum
or contact 1-423-234-2111
Bosch 3/4-inch SDS-plus Rotary Hammer with Dust Collection and Bosch Airsweep
You may be able to purchase these tools from their partnered outlets.
http://www.boschtools.com
or contact 1-877-267-2499