Dust Suppression

It is not uncommon to have excessive dust on construction sites. Those dust particles can be packed with dangerous chemicals that pose a significant health and safety risk to those working on a construction site.

Ensuring that you have an effective dust control program in place is essential to protect your workforce. When working on a site with inadequate dust suppression there will be risks of low visibility as well as airborne dust that can contribute to breathing problems, so this is extremely important to suppress the dust to minimise threat to health and safety on the worksite.

Worksites that particularly have dust problems are quarry's, building and demolition sites for example. The best ways to combat dust is by using a dust suppression water bowser that has fitted either spray bar, splash plate, overhead sprinkler systems or even dust cannons, all depending on what type of dust suppression duty you are tackling depends on which application you will need. Most commonly water bowsers tend to be fitted with one of these products, however Trailer Engineering can manufacture a multipurpose water bowser so you can enable multiple uses out of one bowser. Such as the fast selling Rainmaker / Pressure washer combo, that gives you the option to wash down using the pressure washer or spray from a spray bar direct onto the floor when on tow and also be able to spray at height similar to a dust cannon all at a much cheaper price compared to a more expensive dust cannon.

Trailer Engineering’s Guide to Dust Suppression

Rainmaker Custom Plus With Spray Bar And Tool Box

What Is Dust Suppression?

Dust suppression uses chemicals or water to eliminate the risk of dust particles by weighing them down, preventing these dust particles from becoming airborne. The water or chemicals will be added to the body of the materials or to the air above the dust particles to limit how high they can travel.

Dust suppression systems involve a full range of dust control solutions, one of the most effective dust suppression solutions being the use of a dust suppression water bowser. Using a high-capacity dust suppression bowsers is a great option as these bowsers allow users to transport water across construction sites and may include a spreader plate powered by an engine, a simple gravity fed spray bar or a dust cannon.

Contact a member of our highly-skilled, experienced and friendly team today on + +44(0)1384 564765 or by emailing [email protected] to find the right dust suppression solution for your project.

Types Of Dust Found on A Construction Site

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The term dust is an umbrella term used to refer to all human-made minerals, fibres or the natural minerals that occur during some tasks on a construction site. A few different types of dust are typical on a construction site.

Wood Dust

Wood dust is caused through processing, cutting, and shredding of hardwood, softwood, chipboard and additional wood-based products like MDF (medium-density fibreboard) and plywood. Typically, carpenters are at the highest risk of inhaling wood dust and increasing their risk developing dust-related diseases such as silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Non-silica Dust

Non-silica dust is produced on construction sites through the process of cutting through silica containing materials such as cement, limestone, plasterboard, marble, and dolomite. Non-silica dust provides a danger to the health of those working on construction sites, with the potential of causing several diseases including kidney disease and lung cancer, emphasising the need to utilise effective dust suppression systems.

Silica Dust

Silica is a natural mineral found in various construction products, such as mortar, cement, and concrete.

Silica dust, also known as respirable crystalline silica, is one of the most hazardous types of construction dust and is produced when a material undergoes a substantial alteration, such as when granite, sand, or sandstone are cut, drilled, ground, or sandblasted.

Hazards Faced by Construction Workers

Some dust particles are more dangerous than others, but almost all on-site dust can have an impact on the health and safety of your workers. When people inhale dust particles, they are exposed to different kinds of health hazards and respiratory diseases. These include bronchitis, asthma, and chronic obstructive airway diseases. Apart from these, a person may also experience irregular heartbeats, sneezing, coughing, and irritation of the eyes when exposed to certain types of pollutants. Scarring on the lungs is one of the most common issues for workers exposed to dust.

When scar tissue builds up in your lungs, it can make breathing harder and perhaps lead to lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although some illnesses rapidly appear, the majority take a long time to be noticed. It gets more challenging to treat the damage if it is not detected early.

An effective dust control program ensures that airborne dust particles are controlled, and sufficient fresh air is available. This will prevent site workers from falling ill and failing to complete their jobs.

Looking for an effective dust suppression system for your construction site? Check out our range of dust suppression bowsers above or contact a member of our highly experienced team today on +44(0)1384 564765 or by emailing our team at [email protected].

Benefits of Implementing an Effective Dust Control Program

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Reduces The Risk of Explosion

Dust suppression isn't just essential for the workers on-site; it is necessary for the proper care and maintenance of equipment and machinery. Dust is capable of causing destruction when not adequately controlled. For example, dust clouds form when uncontrolled dust gathers in the atmosphere. These clouds may sometimes contain dispersed combustible dust particles that are capable of igniting and causing explosions. The particles can also settle on machines that need to cool and block their cooling systems, causing them to overheat and even catch fire. An explosion will also expose your workers to burns and smoke inhalation.

Better Roads

Too much dust also leads to the deterioration of roads. This is due to dust coming in very fine particles that cannot act as binding agents to hold road surfaces together. Therefore, they appear as exposed and unstable aggregates that erode whenever the road is used or exposed to natural elements like rain. With time, this leads to potholes and ruts. Dust suppression solutions use moisture from the atmosphere to bind the fine particles and protect the road surface.

Reduces Maintenance Cost

When roads are in top condition, there is a reduced need for repairs. In effect, this means that you will be able to save up on maintenance costs on both repair materials and labour. To ensure that your construction surfaces are always in perfect condition, you will require regular maintenance routines, which can be costly and time-consuming. However, having an effective dust control program ensures that you save time and money on maintenance and that your construction surfaces are always dust-free.

Enquire Today to Find the Right Dust Suppression Solution for You

For over 50 years, Trailer Engineering has been manufacturing a wide range of dust control solutions that are supplied to the construction industry. Check out our wide range of dust suppression bowsers by viewing our products above.

Alternatively, if you have any questions regarding our dust suppression products, get in touch with a member of our highly-experienced and friendly team today on +44(0)1384 564765 or by emailing our team at [email protected]. You can also contact a member of our team today by using our simple contact form.

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