Airborne dust toolbox talk

What it is

Dust raised by work, plant movement or dried material that can be breathed in or spread beyond the site.

Controls to check, most effective first

1. Choose work methods that create less dust, such as wet cutting, pre-wetting materials or using pre-cut components.
2. Fit on-tool dust extraction connected to a suitable vacuum, and use water carts or sprays on haul roads and stockpiles.
3. Clean up with a suitable vacuum or wet methods rather than dry sweeping or blowing dust with compressed air.
4. Set up screens or barriers, and stop dusty work in strong winds that would carry dust beyond the site boundary.
5. Wear respiratory protection suited to the dust, and have tight-fitting respirators fit-tested to the wearer.

Where it comes up on the job

Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with airborne dust:

• Dust controlControl dust with water and an enclosed cabinFrom Civil Drain Clearing
• Controlling silica dustControl silica dust with an enclosed cabin and air filteringFrom Road Profiler Machine
• Cutting materials & identification of respirable crystalline silica dustCut materials with water or HEPA dust controlFrom Cladding
• Dust suppression and ventilationControl lead dust with suppression and ventilationFrom Working around Lead Residue-Dust
• General workplace dust controlWater suppression, ventilation, housekeeping without compressed air, and the 30-day RPE trigger.From Silica Dust

Questions for the crew

1. Where could airborne dust come up on this job today?
2. Is any of this work on today's job: Dust control; Controlling silica dust; Cutting materials & identification of respirable crystalline silica dust?
3. The most effective control is: “Choose work methods that create less dust, such as wet cutting, pre-wetting materials or using pre-cut components”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
4. Which controls for airborne dust are missing or not working on this site?
5. When would you stop work because of airborne dust, and who would you tell?
6. How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?