Hand-held Concrete Scarifiers or Milling Machines with Vacuum Dust Control

A hand-held scarifier or milling machine with vacuum dust control reduces airborne dust during the removal or roughening of concrete.

Description:

A hand-held concrete scarifier or milling machine used to remove or roughen concrete generates dust that may contain high levels of respirable silica.  An engineering control consisting of a hood and vacuum (a dust control system) that is designed to work with this equipment can reduce the amount of dust that becomes airborne and the risk of exposing the worker using the equipment and those working nearby to hazardous levels of silica dust.

This dust control system consists of a vacuum with a disposable filter (a high efficiency particulate air, HEPA, filter is recommended when practical) attached to a hood (or shroud) surrounding the flails, heads or multi-tipped cutting wheels. When used according to manufacturer specifications, the vacuum draws dust from the heads, the point of dust generation, and transports it to the collection unit. Capturing dust containing silica near the point of generation and removing it from the work environment reduces the concentration in the worker's breathing zone.

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. 

A concrete dust control system is recommended by OSHA and is commonly used in the form of a vacuum dust collector. These methods allow for the safe and efficient removal of most airborne dust particles that result from using scarifiers and milling machines. Using a cyclonic separator and a vacuum with filters greatly reduces the risk to operators and other workers on a site.

Price and equipment models are subject to change. Please contact the manufacturer for the latest information.

Pentek Roto-Peen Scaler

The Roto-Peen uses a rotating hub with an assortment of options for the cutting media. The hub has flaps, as opposed to a solid rotating head, that rotate within the shroud (each flap has tabs that act as the cutting head, which is what actually makes contact with the concrete). The Roto-Peen is compatible with the VAC-PAC or other high-capacity, industrial HEPA vacuum systems.

  • Number of Tungsten Tabs: 4 tabs per flap with a total of 6 flaps  
  • Maximum Hub Speed: 2,400 revolutions per minute
  • Weight: 6.5 pounds
  • Compressed Air Supply Requirements: 30 cubic feet per minute at 90 pounds per square inch
  • Vacuum Take-off Diameter: 1.5 inches
  • Unit requires 1/2-inch diameter air supply hose and an in-line Lubricator-Regulator-Filter
  • Maximum Removal Rate: 40 – 50 square feet per hour
  • Sound Pressure Level: Not available.  Please note OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA

Pentek Air-Powered VAC-PAC High Performance HEPA Vacuum Systems

  • Maximum Static Pressure: 100 inches of water
  • Primary coarse filters:
    • Eight inches in diameter
    • Two for Models 6, 9, 12 and 15 and three for Models 18, 21 and 24
    • Remove approximately 95 percent of 1 micron particles
  • Secondary HEPA filter (2 square feet) removes 99.97 percent of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
  • Debris is deposited in a standard 55-gallon drum (23-gallon drums for use with 55-gallon overpacks are available)
  • Features: automatic full-drum level alarm, connections for up to six hoses
  • Weight: 750 pounds
  • Automatic self-cleaning by reverse-flow pulses of high pressure air
ModelsAir Flow Rates (cubic feet per minute)Compressed Air Supply Requirements (cubic feet per minute at 85 pounds per square inch)
Model 615070
Model 9225105
Model 12300140
Model 15375175
Model 18450210
Model 21525245
Model 24600280


Pentek Electric-Powered VAC-PAC High Performance HEPA Vacuum Systems

 

  • 220 volt, three phase electric motor
  • Primary coarse filters:
    • Eight inches in diameter
    • Two for Models 10 and 13 and three for Model 22
    • Remove approximately 95 percent of 1 micron particles
  • Secondary HEPA filter (2 square feet) removes 99.97 percent of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
  • Debris is deposited in a standard 55-gallon drum (23-gallon drums for use with 55-gallon overpacks are available)
  • Features: automatic full-drum level alarm, connections for up to six hoses (1.5 to 4 inches in diameter)
  • Automatic self-cleaning by reverse-flow pulses of high pressure air
ModelsAir Flow Rates (cubic feet per minute)Maximum Static Pressure (inches of water)Rated Motor HorsepowerWeight (pounds)
Model 10250935950
Model 133251007.51,100
Model 22550102151,250

Smith Manufacturing Hand-Held Concrete Scarifiers
 

Smith Manufacturing converts hand held electric grinders to concrete millers by replacing the grinding head.

ModelMilling Width (inches)Weight (pounds)
FS050212
FS150715

  • Vacuum Take-off Diameter: 1.5 inches
  • Maximum Removal Rate: 600 linear feet per hour
  • Removal Depth per Pass: 1/16 inch
  • Power Requirements: 120 volts, 8.1 amps
  • Sound Pressure Level: Not available.  Please note OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA.
     

CS Unitec's Trelawny™ Rotopeen™

 

 PneumaticElectric
Model Number194.0205194.C205194.0405194.C405195.1215195.1220
Cutting MediaRotopeen™ 'C' FlapsStar CuttersRotopeen™ 'C' FlapsStar CuttersRotopeen™ 'C' Flaps
Weight (pounds)7.511.5913.310
Cutting Width (inches)242
Speed (RPM)2,7002,000
Power Requirements30 cfm of compressed air at 90 psi110 volts220 volts
Sound Pressure Level (dBA)**9498
Vibration Levels (m/s2)3.56.03.14.63.6

Pullman-Ermator USA Single Phase Electric Dust Extractors

(Photo courtesy of Husqvarna AB Construction Division)

  • Filtration: cyclonic separator, coarse filter and HEPA filter capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
  • Sound Pressure Level: 75 dBA or less (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)

Pullman-Ermator USA Three Phase Electric Dust Extractors

(Photo courtesy of Husqvarna AB Construction Division)

  • Maximum Static Pressure: 110 inches of water
  • Filtration: cyclonic separator, coarse filter and HEPA filter capable of removing 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size)
  • Dust Collection: Longopac® bag system which uses a 70 foot long plastic tube that is divided and sealed at the desired length
  • Sound Pressure Level: 75 dBA or less (OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limit for an 8-hour time-weighted average is 90 dBA)

 

Models

Air Flow Rates (cubic feet per minute)

Available Hose Diameters (inches)

Filter Area (coarse/HEPA) (square feet*)

Horsepower

Power Requirements

Weight (pounds)

T7500

353

2 or 3

24.8/53.8

10.4

230 volts, 24.2 amps

417

T8600

353

2 or 3

24.8/53.8

10.4

480 volts, 11.9 amps

439

T12600

647

3

41/108

17.4

480 volts, 21 amps

716

* Greater area allows more time between filter cleaning or replacement


Ermator USA Cyclonic Pre-Separators

(Photo courtesy of Husqvarna AB Construction Division)

 

  • Removes approximately 90 percent of particulates and can be used with Pullman-Ermator or other dust extractors
  • Dust collection: Longopac® bag system, which uses a 70 foot long plastic tube that is divided and sealed at the desired length

Models

Inlet Diameter (inches)

Weight (pounds)

C3000

2

49

C5500

3

130


(Photo courtesy of Husqvarna AB Construction Division)


Risks Addressed:

Silica dust exposure 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 and tuberculosis, and has been linked to renal disease and rheumatoid arthritis.  “Data compiled by the Occupational Safety and Health Adminstration (OSHA) indicate that, among employees who grind concrete, most are exposed to silica at levels that exceed OSHA's benchmark of 0.1 mg/m3 as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)."  (Controlling Silica Exposure in Construction – 2009)


How Risks are Reduced:

When a vacuum system is used to capture silica and other dust 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 dust collectors may be adequate to reduce the need to wear a respirator, and the need for an employer’s respiratory protection program.

Local exhaust ventilation will capture dust.  Although exposure is not reduced to zero, substantial reduction is expected.  This depends on the vacuum’s ability to maintain adequate air flow for the shroud and task, the shroud configuration, the work rate and the extent to which workers are exposed to re-suspended dust.  While there are no published sampling data on these specific tools, evidence indicates exposure to respirable silica can be significantly reduced through the use of vacuum dust controls.

The use of vacuum dust controls has been proven effective for concrete surface grinding, a process with similarities to milling or scarifying. Compared to uncontrolled grinding, vacuum dust controls with HEPA filtration reduced respirable silica concentrations by 99%. Dust concentration was not affected by either orientation of the grinding surfaces or the length of sampling time (Akbar, 2010).


Effects on Productivity:

Vacuum dust control systems create a cleaner work environment, and increase workers’ visibility and comfort when engaged in dust producing tasks.  Improved worker visibility and comfort may in turn result in less fatigue for the worker and greater productivity.   Capturing dust at the source may also eliminate or reduce time spent cleaning up the work site and adjacent property (including cars, etc.).

Other items that may impact productivity include the time spent changing vacuum bags, which will depend on the amount of cutting being done and the size of the vacuum bag or hopper, and the time it takes workers to adapt to working with a vacuum hose attached to the tool.


Additional Considerations:

To achieve maximum dust control and exposure reductions, the saw and vacuum system must be maintained and the workers must be trained on the proper use of the equipment.  Use of tools and the tasks performed must also be in compliance with applicable local, state or federal regulations.   Things to consider:

  • When dust is captured at the source, the risk of exposing other workers, members of the public, adjacent property, cars and building occupants is avoided, which reduces the risk of time consuming disputes and related liability.
  • The vacuum must be located as close to the dust generation as possible to be effective. A hood or shroud is needed to contain the dust so the vacuum can capture it. The shroud must be kept as close to the work surface as is practical to provide adequate dust capture.
  • Not all vacuums and filters are effective in reducing exposures.  The particles that can do the most damage in the lungs are small enough to penetrate the filters found on many shop vacuums. Additionally, some inexpensive shop vacuums pull the dust through the motors, which can destroy the vacuum on very dusty jobs.
  • For dust containing harmful particles like silica, it is important to use the highest efficiency filters as practical. The best available are called HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Air) filters because they capture 99.97% of 0.3 micron particles (the most penetrating size).  It is important to keep in mind that HEPA filters also create a greater pressure drop and decrease in air flow rate because it is more difficult to pull air through these denser filters so capture velocity may be reduced. They also require pre-filters to extend the life of the HEPA filters, which are more expensive than other filters. For operations that generate large amounts of dust, a cyclonic collection unit may be the best solution. Cyclonic collection units spin the particles and drop them into a vacuum bag.  As a result, these units can be used with less expensive vacuum bags and the bags need to be replaced far less frequently because loading of the bags does not cause a pressure drop.  
  • Large electric vacuums commonly require 20 amp electrical circuits in addition to the additional amp circuit used for the electric tools.  Cords and extensions must be rated for the tool's power requirements, be inspected regularly, and used in combination with ground fault interrupt circuits.
  • Concrete scarifiers and millers can generate sound levels that are greater than 90 decibel.  When employees are subjected to sound levels exeeding 90dbA, feasible adminstrative or engineering controls for noise shall be utilized.

Contributors:

Andrew Kingston and Michael R. Cooper - Aria Environmental, Inc.
Bruce Lippy - CPWR

Availability

Pullman-Ermator, Inc.
To obtain information, visit single phase electric dust extractors and three phase electric dust extractors and c-line pre seperators or contact 1-855-736-2869 hcpcustomer.service@husqvarna.com

Smith Manufacturing Hand-Held Concrete Millers
To obtain information, visit http://www.smithmfg.com/contactus.php or contact 1-800-653-9311 info@smithmfg.com

Pentek Concrete Milling Machines and Vacuum Systems
To obtain information, visit https://www.pentekusa.com or contact 1-412-262-0725 info@pentekusa.com

CS Unitec, Inc.
To obtain information, visit Rotopeen or contact 1-800-700-5919 info@csunitec.com

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.