DUSTEX® Dust Control Equipment

Silica, often referred to as Quartz, is a natural mineral which is a major constituent of common building materials such as concrete, mortar, bricks and tiles. Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) is generated when these materials are worked, such as by being cut or ground. Silica particles have jagged edges which can become lodged in your lungs, causing Silicosis.

Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) is considered to be a substance hazardous to health under COSHH. It is therefore essential to conduct a risk assessment, and then use the Hierarchy of Control to plan how to manage the hazard. If you cannot eliminate or substitute the hazard you will need to select an appropriate engineering control. RVT group offer a wide range of dust extractors and portable LEV units which contain HEPA filters and are therefore suitable for silica dust extraction. It is essential to follow the 3C's method (Capture, Contain, Control) to ensure that all Silica dust is captured at source and does not become airborne. When all controls are applied properly, less than 0.1 mg/m3 RCS is usually achievable (based on an 8-hour time-weighted average).

Negative pressure is created by extracting air out of an area; when the pressure inside the room becomes less than outside the room, it is said to be a negative pressure environment. This is a great way to control airflow, which means that it is also a great way to control the movement of dust. Negative pressure dust extraction is often used in sensitive environments to ensure zero dust migration.

Seal the work area using a containment system, such as the Dustex Airlock or the Aire Guardian Rigid Containment unit and install a high pressure dust extraction unit, such as the DustMaster Pro. When the dust extraction unit is switched on, the high airflow will cause a negative pressure environment. The pressure can be monitored using the Monitex differential pressure gauge.

Airborne dust and odours can be a huge problem, particularly in summer months, however both can be suppressed with water. RVT Group offer a wide range of Dustex Hydramist suppression systems, and each product has been designed for a different application.

Some dust fogging systems provide a very fine water mist, whereas other water cannons provide a high concentration of water to suppress heavier dust particles. Our units vary in size and can offer a throw of between 10m and 80m. Some models feature an integrated water tank for convenience, whereas other units need to be connected to a water supply; each are best suited to different applications. The applications where you might consider using a dust suppression unit include; quarrying, groundworks, demolition, construction, land remediation, waste handling, aggregate processing, recycling and mining.

The Wandafilta Plus is suitable for both dust and fume control and is therefore popular for internal demolition, whereas our range of Hydramist dust suppression units are popular when demolishing large structures. However, every project must be treated on its own merits, and the nature, scale and constraints of each will determine which unit is best suited for your application.

The Dustmaster Pro is the most efficient dust filtration unit we have brought to market to date. With a high-performance mixed-flow fan, a 100% sealed capture chamber, and 3-stages of filter media including HEPA, this unit would be first choice for any stone cutting activities.

The DustoMat 16 has also been designed to manage high volumes of stone dust created by dry-cutting masonry work and could be a viable option.

We have a wide variety of portable dust extraction units that are suitable for stonemasonry. If you speak to an RVT consultant we can discuss your options and select the most suitable unit for your activities.

In 2020, the EH40/2005 ‘Workplace exposure limits’ were revised, specifying that exposure limits for Hardwood dusts has reduced from 5mg/m3 to 3mg/m3, and if hardwood dusts are mixed with other wood dusts, the new WEL will apply to all wood dusts present in that mixture.

As such, we recommend using a high airflow dust extractor with a HEPA filter to ensure that workers are suitably protected from wood dust. RVT's Dustex Raptor, Dustmaster Pro and Wandafilter Pro all feature a HEPA filter, but we also offer the DustoMat 10 and the Dustex D4 which have been specifically designed to capture and filter sawdust and wood shavings from woodworking machinery. For more information about keeping workers protected from exposure to wood dust, please download our Wood Dust Whitepaper.

The DustMaster Pro has specifically been designed for use in sensitive environments such as hospitals, laboratories, food manufacturing factories and other 'live' environments. The DustMaster Pro is a high airflow unit which is capable of creating a negative pressure, furthermore it is a 100% sealed unit, therefore ensuring zero dust migration. The DustMaster Pro can also hold up to 3 stages of filter media, including either a H13 or H14 HEPA filter.

The 3C's (capture, contain, control) is a methodology created by RVT Group for the control of site hazards.

This methodology can be applied to dust control;

1. Capture the dust at source by positioning the dust extraction hood as close as possible to the activity.

2. Contain the immediate work area to prevent dust/fume migrating.

3. Control the hazard further, by putting the room under negative pressure; this will ensure zero dust migration.

A HEPA Extractor is a fine filter dust extractor.

HEPA stands high-efficiency particulate air, and refers to the efficiency of the filter at trapping extremely fine airborne particles. Filters are regarded as a ‘true HEPA’ (EU13 or higher) if they filter to an efficiency of more than 99.97% in 0.3 Microns in size.

What is the difference between a H13 HEPA filter and H14 HEPA filter? H13 and H14 HEPA filters are within the highest tier of HEPA air filtration and are considered to be medical-grade. A H13 filter can remove 99.97% of harmful particulate whilst a H14 grade filter will remove 99.99%.

RVT offer a wide range of HEPA extractor units, our most popular units are the Dustex Raptor, Dustmaster Pro and Wandafilter Pro.

An EU7 filter is classified as a filter which is between 80 and 90% efficient at capturing dust particles of 1 micron in size.

An EU4 filter is classified as a filter which captures 90% of airborne particles, measured by weight. However, it must be remembered that the majority of harmful pollutants are so tiny that they make up only a tiny proportion of the dust by weight. As such, an EU4 filter is generally used as the first level of filtration (not the only level of filtration) in an RVT dust extraction unit.

RVT's EU4 filter is washable and can be re-used, which makes it both sustainable and cost effective.

Our EU7 and HEPA filters are disposable.

The Dustex Raptor and Dustex Mini DustMaster are lightweight portable units. The majority of Dustex units, such as the DustMaster pro and Wandafilta Pro, are on castors meaning that they are very mobile and can easily be moved around site as work progresses.

Wherever possible, hazardous dust should be filtered rather than simply extracted from the work area, because the dust could create a hazard where it is being emitted. RVT offer a wide range of ATEX certified units and our consultants can help you select the best solution for your application. Phone us on 0808 178 3286 to discuss your requirements.

This answer isn’t straight forward. The COSHH definition of a substance hazardous to health includes “dust of any kind when present at a concentration in air equal to or greater than 10 mg.m-3 8-hour TWA of inhalable dust or 4 mg.m-3 8-hour TWA of respirable dust”. However, there are 500 substances individually listed within EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits, therefore we would strongly recommend that you download a free copy of this document from the HSE website.

When planning how to manage hazards on site, the HSE advise you to follow the hierarchy of control;

1. Elimination - can you eliminate the hazard?

2. Substitution - can you substitute the hazard?

3. Engineering Controls - what tools/ machinery/ equipment are available to control the hazard?

4. Administrative Controls - Keep people away from the hazard, use safety signage, ensure staff are trained.

5. PPE/ RPE - Personal Protective Equipment should be the last line of defence.

When construction workers ask for an 'air scrubber', quite often they are looking for a portable dust extraction/ filtration unit. Typically, 'air scrubbers' do not feature a capture hood and so they cannot be used to effectively capture dust at source - this results in a lot of airborne dust and the work force is not adequately protected from respiratory hazards.

To achieve effective dust control, the HSE recommends using an LEV system that has a suitable size capture hood and sufficient air flow. They also recommend containing the work area as much as possible to reduce the risk to other people who may be nearby.

The HSE explain that, "dry sweeping concrete dust and other building debris can produce high levels of dust". As such, it is advisable to use a vacuum with a wide floor bar, rather than a broom.

It is important to select the correct class of dust extraction vacuum. If you are working with hard woods, board materials, concrete or brick dust, you are likely to require an M class vacuum, however if you are working with silica, lead, carbon or other carcinogenic or toxic substances, you should select a H class vacuum.

RVT offer a wide range of M-class and H-class vacuums including; DUSTEX® Attix B1 Vacuum, DUSTEX® Attix 30-OH Vacuum, DUSTEX® Attix 33 Vacuum and the DUSTEX® B3 Vacuum. We also offer units with extendable arms, such as the DUSTEX D4 Extractor.

It is important to select the correct class of dust extraction vacuum. As a general rule of thumb, if you are working with hard woods, board materials, concrete or brick dust, you are likely to require an M class vacuum, however if you are working with silica, lead, carbon or other carcinogenic or toxic substances, you should select a H class vacuum. To accurately assess which class of vacuum you require, please see below:

M Class < 0.1% Dusts with maximum allowable concentrations ≥ 0.1 mg/m³

H Class < 0.005% Dusts with maximum allowable concentrations < 0.1 mg/m³

Dust Collector

Silica Dust Extractor

Dust Extractor with Fan

HEPA Dust Extraction Unit

Industrial Dust Extractor

Workshop Dust Extractor

Sawdust Collector

ATEX Extraction/ ATEX Extractor Fan

Dust Extractor Vacuum

Dust Suppression

M Class Vacuum

H Class Vacuum

To hire any dust extraction equipment from RVT Group, please call us on 0808 178 3286 or submit your enquiry online.