How Do You Minimise Dust When Sawing Concrete?
Concrete sawing in Sydney is a process that can be messy and dirty. It can also be very risky and hazardous to your health if certain precautions aren’t taken.
Concrete is a very common building material, and it’s usually cut using a circular saw. However, cutting concrete generates an enormous amount of dust that can be dangerous to your health.
To reduce the risk of breathing in harmful dust particles, you should wear protective clothing and a mask while working with this material. You should also try not to breathe near the area where you are cutting it.
The best way to avoid inhaling these particles is by using a wet saw. This type of tool will produce less dust than its dry counterpart because it uses water as a means of reducing airborne particles.
To learn more about how to minimise dust when sawing concrete, please continue reading below:
Use Wet Saws Or Water-Cooled Blades To Minimise Dust Emissions
It’s important to use wet saws when concrete is being cut, particularly indoors, because it will reduce dust emissions being released into the environment.
Wet saws are designed to reduce the amount of concrete dust created when they cut through dry surfaces like concrete by coating the blade with water during the cutting process. The water helps to keep the blade cool and lubricated which reduces friction between it and the surface being cut.
This means that less pressure is needed for cutting because there’s no need to break through a crusty layer of hardened cement. This means that less dust and debris will be propelled into the air during your project.
Wear A Dust Mask And Goggles
When sawing concrete, it is important to wear a dust mask and goggles. This will protect your lungs from the harmful particles in the cement that could lead to an asthma attack or other respiratory issues down the road.
It is also important to wear eye protection in order to avoid getting dust and debris in your eyes which can cause eye irritation and impair your vision which impacts your ability to do your job properly.
Make Sure There Is plenty Of Ventilation
Sawing concrete is a high-energy process that produces a lot of dust and fumes. You should make sure there’s plenty of ventilation if you want to avoid breathing in these pollutants which can potentially cause respiratory irritation.
Concrete dust can cause Silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling tiny particles of silica. The most common form of this disease is called chronic bronchitis with fibrosis or Bronchiectasis. Both of these conditions are harmful to the lungs and usually develop in people who work around concrete for an extended period of time.
If you are sawing concrete indoors, make sure there is plenty of ventilation and air flow. This will help prevent dangerous particles from being released into the environment through the dust created while cutting the concrete.
Place Plastic Sheeting On Surfaces Where You Are Cutting
Placing plastic sheets on surfaces where you are cutting will help to prevent small particles of concrete making their way into places they shouldn’t be. It is important to cover surfaces with plastic sheeting for two main reasons:
For one, the cement can create a lot of dust and debris. Therefore, plastic sheeting not only makes it easier to clean up after the job, but it also ensures that the dust and debris doesn’t cause any damage to other pieces of equipment or surfaces.
Secondly, as mentioned earlier, concrete dust contains silica which can cause serious health problems if ingested later on down the line after exposure. Placing plastic sheeting around the work area will help to make sure all traces of concrete dust are collected.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the benefits of minimising concrete dust when sawing concrete include:
- Save time by reducing the amount of dust when concrete sawing
- Keep your workplace clean with plastic sheeting
- Minimise the risk of eye irritation and other health issues from airborne particles
- Reap rewards such as increased productivity, improved safety
If you are looking for a concrete cutting company that is trustworthy and reliable, then don’t go past Sydney Sawing & Drilling. Please call us today on (02) 9158 6101 or leave an enquiry.
