Dust regulations

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2.1 Recommended work methods for safe and efficient dust control

One of the best ways to control dust is by using water. If possible, use enough water while wet cutting/drilling to bind the dust directly at the source. To keep the workplace clean, a slurry collector can be attached to a slurry vac. If using water is not an option on the site, the cutting/drilling/grinding equipment should be used with an integrated dust collection device or tight-fitting dust shroud that captures dust directly at the source. This device should be connected to a dust extractor with the appropriate airflow and capacity for the application, and be equipped with HEPA H13 filters.

When cleaning the floor of the work area, use a scraper instead of a broom. When vacuum cleaning, always use a dust extractor equipped with HEPA H13 filters. NOTE: Standard/household vacuum cleaners are not able to catch respirable dust particles and should not be used for this purpose.

As a complement, using one or more portable air cleaners/scrubbers, equipped with efficient HEPA H13 filters, is an easy way to further reduce the level of respirable dust in the air, providing additional protection for all workers in the surrounding areas. For sufficient protection from intense or long-term dust exposure, the operator should also wear an -air-purifying respirator.

Wet cutting

Wet cutting/drilling binds the dust with water directly at the source.

Wet drilling

The slurry collector connected to a slurry vac keeps the workplace clean.

Dry cutting

Dry cutting/drilling with an integrated dust collection device captures dust directly at the source. A dust extractor with the appropriate airflow and capacity for the application, equipped with HEPA H13 filters, takes care of the dust.

Dry drilling

An H-classified dust extractor with the appropriate airflow and capacity for the application, equipped with HEPA H13 filters, takes care of the dust. The surrounding air is filtered through one or more portable air cleaners equipped with HEPA H13 filter at least 6 to 10 times per hour.

2.2 Handling the smallest dust particles is the biggest challenge

Dust particles hovering in the air at construction sites contain a number of different substances. Some of these can be harmful or irritating if inhaled, such as asbestos fibers, crystalline silica, mould, soot, PCBs and certain microbes. Dust from cutting, drilling and grinding concrete, brick and similar building materials contains crystalline silica, which can be hazardous when very small (respirable) particles are inhaled. These respirable particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and may cause serious injuries.

They are so small that they might hover in the air for hours, invisible to the naked eye. This is why it’s important to always use work methods that catch dust at the source and prevent it from becoming airborne. Using high-quality professional dust control equipment, and personal protective equipment that can catch even the smallest silica particles are some of the best ways to handle dust.

2.3 How to minimize your exposure to airborne dust

Concrete cutting, coring, grinding and demolition create a lot of dust. A combination of the following measures are some of the best ways to minimize your exposure to airborne dust particles at the jobsite.

1. Elimination at the source

By controlling dust at the source, you can avoid most airborne dust. This can be done either by connecting a HEPA dust extractor to your equipment, or by using water to bind the dust into slurry.

2. Clean the floor frequently

Frequent cleaning of the jobsite floor helps keeping dust exposure down. Use a HEPA vacuum-cleaner instead of a brush /broom, or flush the floor with water and use a scraper, to avoid swirling up dust from the floor.

3. Filter the air

The smallest dust particles are so light that they can hover in the air for many hours. Circulating the air in the room through an Air Cleaner with a HEPA filter reduces these particles. The air is filtered and recirculated, greatly improving the general air quality.

4. Wear a dust mask

Getting used to wearing a dust mask is a good habit if you work in environments where you risk exposure to airborne dust. Make sure to use a mask that is adapted for the actual job conditions and compliant with the governmental regulations.

2.4 Husqvarna dust extractor classifications

Different applications and markets require different classifications. The most common are H-classified or HEPA-filter classified dust extractors. In this information sheet the HEPA-filter classifications and the H-classification are presented.

Please note that what the dust extractors can be used for differs in each market. This guide will only provide information about Husqvarna’s dust extractors and the classifications, not what they can be used for in each individual market. For information regarding use and applications see www.husqvarnacp.com

Table A

EPA 10 – EPA 12: Efficiency Particulate Air Filter
HEPA 13 – HEPA 14: High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter
ULPA 15 – ULPA 17: Ultra Low Penetration Filters

EN1822 – 2009

FILTER CLASS	VALUE – EFFICIENCY (%)	VALUE – PENETRATION (%)
E10	85	15
E11	95	5
E12	99.5	0.5
H13	99.95	0.05
H14	99.995	0.005
U15	99.9995	0.0005
U16	99.99995	0.00005
U17	99.999995	0.000005

Husqvarna dust extractors that use HEPA H 13 filter(s): S 13, S 26, S 36, S 36 Propane, T 7500, T 8600, T 8600 Propane, T 10000, T 18000, A600/A1000, A1200/A2000 (W70/W70 P and DC 6000 can also be equipped with HEPA H 13 filter, but not as standard.)

HEPA-Filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters)

HEPA is a strict standard (EN1822:2009) divided into eight different levels. Husqvarna provide level H 13 filters, which are designed to separate > 99.95 % of the particles hardest to capture (typically between 0.15 – 0.30 μm). All of Husqvarna’s HEPA filters are DOP-tested to ensure a filtration level > 99.99 % at 0.3 μm, surpassing the US standard MIL-STD-282.

H-Classification

The H-classification is an international standard that certifies the entire product, not only the filters (IEC-60335-2-69, EN-60335-2-69 Annex AA). The standard is categorized into three requirement levels: Low, Medium and High (Table AA.1). Certified Husqvarna dust extractors meet the High (H) standard since it’s the most stringent and suitable when working with hazardous material such as silica dust. Filtration requirements of a complete unit need to reach a filtration efficiency level of > 99.995 % of dust with a particle size distribution of 10 % < 1 mm, 22 % < 2 mm and 75 % < 5 mm. The Husqvarna DOP-test filtration level > 99.99 % @ 0.3 mm surpasses this. The H-classification also requires dust free handling. Therefore, Husqvarna dust extractors use the LongopacR dust collection system to prevent user exposure to dangerous dust. Note that just having an H-certified filter does not mean that the complete unit is approved. The following Husqvarna dust extractors are H-classified, certified by a third party: S 13, S 26, S 36, T 7500

All H Class machines must be clearly labelled with the below sticker:

TABLE AA.1 – PENETRATION LIMITS

Dust class	Suitability for hazardous dust with limit values for occupational exposure mg×m^-3	Degree of penetration D %	Essential filter material test	Essential filter element test RECOMMENDATION	Assembled machine test method
L (light hazard)	> 1	< 1	22.AA.201.1 or 22.AA.201.2	Not required	22.AA.201.3 if essential filter material test is not carried out
M (medium hazard)	≥ 0.1	≤ 0.1	22.AA.201.1 or 22.AA.201.2	Not required	22.AA.201.3
H (high hazard)	< 0.1 including carcinogenic dusts and dusts contaminated with carcinogens and/or pathogens	< 0.005	Not required	22.AA.201.2	22.AA.201.3

Machines of similar construction and with identical essential filter and mountings and with an identical airflow velocity may be treated equally. Machines designed for picking up wood dust and mineral dust (containing quartz) shall be at least of dust class M.

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