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Protecting Your Health with Handheld and Stand-Mounted Drills

Your Health is Non-Negotiable

As a worker operating handheld and stand-mounted drills, including impact and rotary hammer drills, you have a significant role in construction and manufacturing. It's crucial to understand the potential health risks associated with your work and the significance of this section when it comes to securing future compensation payments after a workplace accident or injury. Drilling into concrete, masonry, and other silica-containing materials generates respirable crystalline silica dust, which, when inhaled over time, poses a severe threat to your respiratory health.



Ensuring Your Safety

The Managing respirable crystalline silica in construction and manufacturing of construction elements code of practice 2022 provides essential guidelines to safeguard your health and future compensation payments:



Step 1: Implementing Engineering Controls

Commercially Available Shroud or Cowling with Dust Collector

Choose one of the following engineering control options to minimize exposure:

  • Commercially available shroud or cowling with a tool-mounted HEPA-filtered dust collector.
  • Commercially available shroud or cowling with an on-tool capture hood connected to a dust extractor/vacuum that meets or exceeds the minimum air flow requirements recommended by the tool manufacturer and is rated to either M-Class or H-Class.

Note: Use an M or H class vacuum when cleaning drilling holes.



Utilizing Dust Collection Systems

Using a shroud or cowling connected to a dust collection system is the key to controlling exposure when using handheld or stand-mounted drills to work with concrete and other silica-containing materials. These systems come in various designs, including a dust collection device (shroud or cowling), vacuum, hose, filter, and filter-cleaning mechanism. These systems can be integrated into the tools or used as add-on systems.

Your dust collection system must include:

  • A shroud or cowling sized to fit around the drill bit.
  • A dust collector rated to provide the airflow recommended by the tool manufacturer or greater, with either:
    • A tool-mounted HEPA-filtered dust collector.
    • An on-tool capture hood connected to a dust extraction system rated to either M or H-Class as per AS60335.2.69.

Ensure that your drill and vacuum dust collection system is operated and maintained following the manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions. This involves:

  • Keeping the vacuum hose clear and free of debris, kinks, and tight bends.
  • Activating non-automatic filter-cleaning mechanisms as needed to reduce dust build-up on the filter.
  • Changing vacuum-collection bags as needed.
  • Setting a schedule for filter cleaning and maintenance.
  • Avoiding exposure to dust when changing vacuum bags and cleaning or replacing air filters.
  • Cleaning the dust and debris from the drilled holes—use a HEPA-filtered vacuum system to capture the dust.

Step 2: Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

Fortunately, RPE is not required when using handheld or stand-mounted drills.



Know Your Rights

In the unfortunate event of workplace accidents or injuries, it's essential to be aware of your rights regarding potential compensation payments. These payments can cover lost wages, medical expenses, and more. Understanding your rights is crucial for securing your future.



Seek More Information

For comprehensive information, resources, and support related to work-related respiratory conditions, exposure controls, and compensation, please refer to the following sources:

Your health is your most valuable asset, and being informed and proactive ensures your well-being in the workplace.


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