Toolbox Talk Silica Dust Control During Wall and Ceiling Grinding

Grinding concrete surfaces generates a great deal of silica dust - respirable crystalline silica and silica dust exposure without proper respiratory protection can cause lung problems and breathing difficulty. Proper systems in place can remove airborne dust, and provide workers with a safe work environment. Controlling this dust can be done with local exhaust ventilation systems, building a barrier around the workspace where silica dust is being generated, and using a vacuum attachment with the grinder - all of which are viable dust suppression methods or dust collection methods. Equipment being used should be regularly inspected as a part of an exposure control plan.