Every hire company needs an X-SPLASH wash bay

Dust is a nuisance factor in most industrial and construction settings, from demolition and
building sites, to timber yards and workshops. In factories and other indoor settings, the
problem can be addressed through ventilation and extraction systems – but this isn’t an
option for outdoor applications, making dust management and suppression a thorny
problem for site managers.

In many circumstances, dust is more than an irritation – it is an outright hazard that has
been linked to a wide range of long-term health problems, including lung cancer and
debilitating respiratory illnesses. In some cases, long-term dust inhalation is the direct
cause of terminal disease, disability, and premature death; hence the dramatic title of our guide, ‘Dust Kills’. Under the UK’s Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations
(COSHH), businesses have a legal duty of care to implement measures to protect
employees from construction dust, fumes and other airborne risks.

On the ground, there are three general dust control strategies for managing and
suppressing workplace dust; using effective respiratory protective equipment, installing
on-tool extraction systems on dust-producing plant, and making use of dust suppression
systems.

Dust suppression systems use a water hose or sprinkler to capture and remove dust from
the air. These come in a variety of designs, and include small attachments for handheld
tools – with a hose linked to a pressurised water container – as well as larger mobile units
that generate a fine mist around dusty areas.

Our TEKNOSPRAY water-based dust control units are high-capacity, mobile devices that produce a fine water vapour capable of capturing all types of harmful construction dust. The TEKNOSPRAY series are available in both lightweight and portable models, which are
mounted on wheeled trolleys to allow rapid deployment anywhere on a construction site,
and larger static models which are more suitable for jobs such as demolition. To operate,
the unit is simply hooked up to a mains water supply, a water bowser with a built-in
pressure pump, a pressurised water tank or hydraulic system, and aimed in the direction of
the dust source.

In many circumstances, dust is more than an irritation – it is an outright hazard that has
been linked to a wide range of long-term health problems, including lung cancer and
debilitating respiratory illnesses.

Dust is not a substance in itself, but a convenient catchall term for any small, airborne particle. In the home, dust is a cocktail of dead skin particles, carpet fibres, food crumbs, pollen, pet hair and other substances. On a construction site, airborne dust may contain concrete, brick, and sand particles, pulverised stone, wood chippings, micro plastics, lead and other metals – not something that anyone would want to breathe in consciously.

Some types of dust are particularly harmful. Asbestos, for instance – a naturally occurring
silicate fibre that was used in construction materials for decades – is linked to various
cancers, as well as the fatal lung disease Asbestos's. Other types of silica dust particle,
although less notorious, are almost as harmful. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
estimates that over 500 people die each year from the inhalation of silica dust on
construction sites, which is the main reason that sandblasting is no longer legal in the UK.

Common Causes Of Dust

Almost all activities have the potential to create dust, from the simple act of driving a
construction vehicle along a trackway, to large-scale gravel quarry. Some applications,
however, are singled out by the HSE as major causes of dust, in quantities likely to cause a
hazard to human health.

• Concrete pouring and mixing
• Wood processing – including cutting and sanding timber on site
• Building demolition
• Construction tools – including pneumatic drills, cut-off saws, grinders etc.
• Cutting and installing roof tiles and insulation
• Processing paving blocks, stone, kerbs, and flags
• Dry abrasive blasting – e.g. grit blasting
• Mining and quarrying
• Tunnelling
• Waste management – including landfills and recycling
• Steel manufacturing

Health Problems Caused By Dust

Repeated exposure to construction and industrial dust, without the appropriate
respiratory protective equipment, causes a range of debilitating and fatal conditions:

• Lung cancer
• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – an incurable breathing condition
  caused by damage to the lungs from certain dusts, chemicals, and exhaust fumes.
• Silicosis – the condition caused by inhaling sand and other silicate particles, resulting
  in a hardening of the soft tissues and tubes of the lungs

Worryingly, the daily volumes of dust that need to be inhaled to place people at risk of
these conditions are tiny, often no more than a pinch of salt. This makes it essential to put
effective dust suppression systems in place in environments that produce large quantities
of dust.

Effects Of Dust On Work Rate & Productivity

Construction and workplace dust affects productivity as well as health. Large volumes of
dust obscure visibility, reducing people’s work rate and increasing the risk of accidents.
Abrasive dust particles can also interfere with construction plant and vehicles, shortening
the life of equipment and increasing repair bills.

Dust Suppression Solution 

Our TEKNOSPRAY water-based dust control units are high-capacity, mobile devices that produce a fine water vapour capable of capturing all types of harmful construction dust. The TEKNOSPRAY series are available in both lightweight and portable models, which are
mounted on wheeled trolleys to allow rapid deployment anywhere on a construction site,
and larger static models which are more suitable for jobs such as demolition. To operate,
the unit is simply hooked up to a mains water supply, a water bowser with a built-in
pressure pump, a pressurised water tank or hydraulic system, and aimed in the direction of
the dust source.

There are many sustainable lighting tower variations in the market, and these options are becoming sort-after by many companies due to their environmental benefits. However, how do you know which one is right for you and your company?

Over past few years there has been a significant move by leading UK construction organisations to reduce their carbon footprint. Many of these firms have set challenging targets to become zero carbon in operations, some in just a few years from now.

Safety is extremely important and needs to be taken seriously, especially when heavy machinery is involved. From the clothing worn, to the use of the equipment, to the elements of the equipment, safety comes into all aspects of lighting tower use. Our lighting tower’s complex engineering and electrical systems can be dangerous if not operated correctly, so at Trime we make the safety of our products, employees and users our first priority.

During the summer we historically see more lighting towers back at plant depots, The days are longer and the requirement for lighting on site tails off significantly.

We hear Net-Zero everyday within our industry, it’s used in advertising campaigns, social media posts and is becoming a the ‘must-have’ in procurement circles but do we actually know what is means?

With lighting, technical terms do come up as they play a part in the science behind how they work. If you are slightly confused by what means what, here is a quick overview of some lighting terms.

Yes, you do need to clean your equipment. When plant and machinery come back from hire, cleaning them is one of those chores we’d rather avoid. However, cleaning your equipment, whether it is a small attachment or a large digger, can ensure that when it is next used (whether that is in a week or a month) it is in good condition for the next operator. I can hear the groans of the people who have drawn short straw, but cleaning your equipment is a very important job, and can save time in the future and reduce all kinds of risks.