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Safeguarding Your Health and Compensation After Workplace Accidents

As a worker using handheld grinders for mortar removal in the construction and manufacturing industry, it's vital to be aware of the potential health hazards associated with your job. This section is not only about protecting your well-being but also securing potential compensation payments in the event of a workplace accident or injury.



Recognizing the Risks

Operating handheld grinders to remove mortar from brick, stone, and concrete can generate harmful respirable crystalline silica dust. Prolonged inhalation of these tiny silica particles can lead to irreversible lung damage. Understanding and implementing the right exposure controls are crucial for protecting both your health and your financial future.



Implementing Exposure Controls

The Managing respirable crystalline silica in construction and manufacturing of construction elements code of practice 2022 offers essential guidelines to ensure your safety:



Step 1: Utilizing Engineering Controls

Engineering Control Option

Choose this engineering control option to minimize exposure:

  • Use a commercial dust collection system which includes:
    • A commercially available shroud.
    • A dust collector that:
      • Provides at least an airflow of 25 cubic feet per minute per inch of the blade (roughly 700 liters per 25mm of blade diameter).
      • Is rated as M-Class or H-Class.
      • Has a cyclonic pre-separator or filter cleaning mechanism.

Dust Collection System

A dust collection system is crucial to capture dust when removing mortar with a handheld grinder. Compliance involves ensuring that the system:

  • Has a commercially available shroud designed to fit the grinder and wheel size.
  • Provides at least 25 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of airflow per inch of the blade (roughly 700 liters per 25mm of wheel diameter) to capture dust at the point of grinding and mortar removal.
  • Is equipped with a cyclonic pre-separator.
  • Is rated as M-Class or H-Class in accordance with AS/NZS60335.2.69.

Operating Guidelines

For the most effective use of the grinder and dust collector, follow these operating guidelines:

  • Keep the hose clear and free of debris, kinks, and tight bends.
  • Adhere to the equipment manufacturer's instructions to reduce dust build-up on the filter.
  • Change vacuum-collection bags as needed, without overfilling them.
  • Establish a regular maintenance schedule and filter cleaning for the grinder and vacuum dust collection system.
  • Avoid dust exposure when changing vacuum bags and cleaning or replacing air filters.

Proper handling of the handheld grinder is of utmost importance:

  • Position one side of the shroud against the working surface before inserting the blade into the mortar joint to direct dust into the shroud.
  • Keep the shroud tightly against the working surface to minimize dust escaping.
  • Move the grinder counter to the direction of blade rotation to minimize escaping dust.
  • Before removing the grinder from the slot, back off the cutting pressure of the blade slightly to allow the vacuum to clear any dust build-up.
  • Do not move the grinder back and forth along the slot, as it creates a gap that increases dust escape. Move the grinder in one direction, making a second pass only if necessary.
  • Use only enough cutting force to operate the tool effectively and keep the leading tool edge flush against the working surface. Avoid leaving a large gap between the shroud and uncut mortar.

Compressed Air Warning

Never use compressed air or blowers to clean surfaces, clothing, or filters unless there's an effective ventilation system capturing the dust cloud, as it can increase silica exposure. Instead, clean with an M-Class or H-Class HEPA filter-equipped vacuum or wet methods.



Step 2: Selecting Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

The type of RPE you need depends on various factors:

  • The engineering controls in use.
  • The duration of the task during your shift.
  • The work location.

RPE is required when using handheld grinders for mortar removal:

Engineering Control Used | Time Spent Doing Task During ShiftEqual or Less Than 4 Hours | Greater Than 4 Hours Dust Extraction | Outdoors P1 or P2 Filtered RPE with a MPF 10 Required | Outdoors P2 Filtered Full Face or Half Face Piece with a Positive Pressure Air Supply with a MPF 50 Required Indoors / Enclosed Area | P1 or P2 Filtered RPE with a MPF 10 Required | Indoors / Enclosed Area P2 Filtered Full Face or Half Face Piece with a Positive Pressure Air Supply with a MPF 50 Required

For tight-fitting RPE, ensure workers undergo fit-testing for the specific make and model before use. Refer to section 7.6 of the Code (PDF, 1.71 MB) for comprehensive information on fit-testing and other RPE requirements.



Health Monitoring

A person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must provide health monitoring to a worker if their tasks require them to wear RPE 30 times or more within a 12-month period. Detailed health monitoring requirements can be found in section 10 of the Code (PDF, 1.71 MB).



Seeking Additional 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 invaluable, and understanding your rights and taking necessary precautions ensures your safety at work and secures your potential compensation.


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