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| Solution: Hand-held Surface Grinders with Vacuum Dust Control | |
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| Description: |
Surface grinders are often used to smooth poured concrete surfaces after the forms have been removed. Grinding concrete generates a large amount of dust which is likely to contain high levels of crystalline silica and creates a hazard for everyone in the vicinity. Vacuum dust controls exist for surface grinders. These controls consist of a vacuum, with a disposable filter (a high efficiency particulate air, HEPA, filter is often an option and recommended where practical), attached to a shroud that is compatible with the grinder and partially encloses the blade. The vacuum draws air and dust from the blade, the point of dust generation, into the shroud where it is transported through tubing into the vacuum's bag or reservoir. Cyclonic pre-separators, either as an integral part of the vacuum or as a separate unit, should be used to collect the majority of the particles before they reach the filters. The use of a cyclonic pre-separator reduces the amount of dust that collects on the filter, which increases the useful life of expensive filters and helps to maintain the vacuum’s initial airflow rate. Pearl Abrasive Company Vacu-Guard dust containment systems for angle grinders
(verified 11/2009) Hilti DG 150 Diamond Grinder System with Power Conditioner
Hilti VC 40-U wet/dry vacuum cleaner
Dustcontrol, Inc. suction casings for diamond cup grinding discs
Dustcontrol, Inc. Single Phase Dust Extractors
(verified 11/2009)
*recommended for tools with up to 5-inch blades
** recommended for tools with up to 9-inch blades
Dustcontrol, Inc. DC 3800 Three Phase Dust Extractors
(verified 11/2009) Dustcontrol, Inc. DC 5800 Three Phase Dust Extractors
(verified 11/2009) Compatible Blastrac vacuums: BDC-1216, BDC-1324 and BDC-165P
(verified 11/2009)
*Blastrac technical support staff has indicated that while the BDC-1216 works with the above mentioned grinders, the larger vacuums have significantly greater flow rates and provided noticeably better dust collection.
CS Unitec/FLEX LD1509FRD 5-inch lightweight concrete grinder with dust collection shroud
Compatible CS Unitec, Inc. vacuums: CS 1225 and CS 1500
(verified 11/2009) Industrial Contractors Supply (ICS), Inc. Surface Grinding Dust Shrouds
Industrial Contractors Supplies, Inc. vacuums
(verified 11/2009) Industrial Contractors Supplies, Inc. 30 Gallon HD Poly Cyclone Separator
![]() Dustless Technologies DustBuddie Dust Containment Shroud for hand grinders
Bosch Dust Extraction Attachments for Surface Grinders
(verified 11/2009)
Bosch Airsweep™ Wet/Dry Vacuum
Pullman-Ermator single phase electric dust extractors
(verified 11/2009)
* Longopac® bag system uses a 70 foot long plastic tube that is divided and sealed at the desired length
** Greater area allows more time between filter cleaning or replacement
Pullman-Ermator three phase electric dust extractors
(verified 11/2009)
* Greater area allows more time between filter cleaning or replacement
Pullman-Ermator cyclonic pre-separators
(verified 11/2009)
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| Risks Addressed: |
Silica dust exposure may cause silicosis or lung scarring with prolonged exposure. Silicosis is an incurable, sometimes fatal, disease. The NIOSH-recommended exposure limit (REL) is 0.05 mg/m3 as a time-weighted average concentration for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour workweek. This is one-half of the OSHA standard when the dust is pure silica, but still twice the ACGIH-recommended threshold limit value (TLV) of 0.025 mg/m3. Silica has also been associated with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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| How Risks are Reduced: |
The shrouds partially enclose the blades of the grinders 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 blade, capturing dust and silica at 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, as long as the vacuum provides an adequate air velocity to capture rapidly moving particles of dust and silica near the source, concentrations in the worker's breathing zone and his or her exposure will be reduced. For continuous use, a respiratory protection program and respirators may be required. |
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| Quality of Evidence (Risk Reduction): |
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| Quality of Evidence Explanation (Risk Reduction): |
In an evaluation of a Vacu-Guard shroud with a Dustcontrol 2700c vacuum, Echt and Sieber reported 8-hour TWA quartz exposures ranged from 0.036 mg/m3 to 0.13 mg/m3,” or from 1.4 to 5.2 times the current ACGIH TLV of 0.025 mg/m3. While still greater than the TLV, these exposures represent a significant reduction compared to uncontrolled exposures reported in the literature. In an evaluation of a Hilti DG 150 6-inch grinder with a Hilti VCD 50 vacuum, Akbar-Khanzadeh et al. observed greater than 99 percent reduction in respirable silica with an average concentration of 0.155 mg/m3 or 6 times the ACGIH TLV.
In an evaluation of engineering controls, Croteau et al. observed 70 to 95 percent reductions in respirable dust, compared to use of no control, during the use of a surface grinder with local exhaust ventilation.
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| Effects on Productivity: |
Echt and Sieber concluded that there was “a learning curve associated with the use of the vacuum cleaner and shroud” but “the tasks of changing bags and cleaning the vacuum cleaner filter do not seem to interfere with the productivity of the concrete finisher.” They also stated that use of the vacuum system reduced cleanup required by other trades and allowed them to work in the vicinity of the concrete finishers.
Vacuum dust control systems can have either positive or negative effects on productivity, but definitely improve the quality of the work by capturing large amounts of airborne dust, which allows a cleaner, more efficient means of removing mortar.
Dust capture also reduces site cleanup times. Dust capture avoids exposing other workers, members of the public, adjacent property, cars and building occupants, which can increase liability and time-consuming disputes. Improved worker comfort is a result of reduced airborne dust which may in turn result in less fatigue for the worker and greater productivity. In some cases, particularly where grinder use is intermittent, vacuum dust control may be adequate to reduce the need to wear a respirator, and the need for an employer respiratory protection program.
Some additional issues should be considered. Changing vacuum bags takes time, which will depend on the amount of cutting being done and the size of the vacuum bag or hopper. Workers will need to adapt to working with a vacuum hose attached to the tool. Grinder and vacuum energy requirements may exceed the capacity of a single standard 20 amp circuit when combined requiring access to two circuits or special wiring.
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| Quality of Evidence (Effects on Productivity): |
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| Quality of Evidence Explanation (Effects on Productivity): |
While there is limited information on productivity from manufacturers or independent studies, safety and health experts believe the use of these controls will lead to an increase in productivity. Increases in productivity are based on one independent study, manufacturers' claims and safety and health experts’ belief that the controls will reduce dust-related hazards and provide a cleaner work environment. |
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| Return on Investment: | To calculate the return on investment (ROI) for your specific application, please visit our Return on Investment Calculator. While a specific ROI example has not been developed for this particular solution, the ROI Calculator provides a useful tool and guidance on how to generate your own on investment analysis. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Availability: |
Pearl Abrasive Company Vacu-Guard dust containment systems for angle grinders
For purchasing information visit http://www.pearlabrasive.com/ or contact 1-800-969-5561 or by e-mail
Hilti DG 150 Diamond Grinder System with Power Conditioner and vacuum
For purchasing information visit http://www.hilti.com or contact 1-423-234-2111
Dustcontrol, Inc. suction casings and dust extractors
For purchasing information visit http://www.dustcontrol.com/ or contact 1-910-395-1808 or sales@dustcontrolusa.com
Blastrac 5-inch Tuc-Pointer and vacuums
For purchasing information visit http://www.blastrac.com/ or contact 1-800-256-3440 or by e-mail
CS Unitec/FLEX LD1509FRD 5-inch lightweight concrete grinder 5-inch with dust collection shroud and vacuums
For purchasing information contact 1-800-700-5919 or info@csunitec.com
Industrial Contractors Supply (ICS), Inc. Dust Director Shroud, Vacuums and Cyclone Separator
Industrial Contractors Supplies, Inc. or 412-824-6933 or trs@icscompany.net
Dustless Technologies DustBuddie Dust Director
Bosch 5-inch Tuckpoint Grinder with Dust Extraction Port and Vacuum
http://www.dustlesstechnologies.com/dealers.php or 1-800-568-3949
Bosch Surface Grinders and Vacuums
Locate a Bosch store at http://www.boschtools.com/WheretoBuy/StoreLocator/Pages/default.aspx
Locate a distributor at http://www.boschtools.com/WheretoBuy/OnlinePartners/Pages/default.aspx
Bosch Dust Extraction Attachments for Model 18SG-5E Surface Grinders
Bosch Dust Extraction Attachments for Model 18SG-7 Surface Grinders
Bosch Airsweep™ Wet/Dry Vacuum
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| Additional Considerations: |
Ventilation for construction tools is often misunderstood. There are some key concepts that can help:
Large electric vacuums commonly require 20 amp electrical circuits in addition to the 20 amp circuit used for the electric grinder. Cords and extensions must be rated for the tool's power requirements, be inspected regularly, replaced when damaged, and used in combination with ground fault interrupt circuits.
The use of gasoline-powered equipment poses the risk of carbon monoxide exposure, particularly in areas where airflow is reduced. Steps to control exposure are important because the gas is invisible, odorless and tasteless. Small, inexpensive personal monitors should be worn by the operator to warn of unacceptable exposures. When working in an enclosed area, it is preferable to use an electronic power tool as opposed to gasoline in order to avoid carbon monoxide over exposures.
Grinders frequently generate sound levels that are greater than 90 decibels, the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), and hazardous. Hearing protection should be worn when using surface grinders unless an industrial hygienist has conducted noise monitoring and indicated that hearing protection is not required.
As is the case with any construction equipment, users should follow manufacturer safety recommendations and comply with any applicable local, state or federal regulations.
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| Hazards Addressed: |
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