Investigating Airborne Dust at Construction Sites

Many construction trades are characterised by exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust. Realising effective dust control measures is core to minimise workers’ exposure and thus protect their health. The distribution of the exposure in time can provide key information to risk reduction. Therefore, direct reading instruments combined with video recording can identify hazardous situations and illustrate effective preventive measures. We conducted two sets of recordings at a residential construction site where several types of silica-based materials were machined. The PIMEX system integrated data from a personal dust sampler with the images of the video camera. Static samplers provided input to estimate RCS content. Tasks ranged from cutting grooves into the wall with a hand tool with/without extraction to manual sweeping. Exposure without extraction exceeded the European occupational limit value for RCS, even with the use of personal protective equipment. On-tool dust extraction reduced the exposure without causing too much discomfort to the worker. This emphasises the need for comprehensive safety measures and ongoing monitoring in construction environments.