RAMS — Cutting, drilling & chasing (silica dust & abrasive wheels)

What you need to know

The plain-English guidance that comes with this document.

• Silica dust is a slow killer — control it at source, don't rely on the mask. Cutting and grinding stone, concrete and brick releases respirable crystalline silica, which causes silicosis, COPD and lung cancer over years. The GB workplace exposure limit is 0.1 mg/m³ over 8 hours, and you must keep exposure below it and as low as reasonably practicable. The real controls are water suppression or on-tool M-class extraction — the RPE is the backup, not the plan.
• RPE only works if it fits — get face-fit tested. A tight-fitting FFP3 mask needs a face-fit test for the wearer and a clean-shaven face to seal. A mask that leaks is doing nothing. For long or heavy work, a powered respirator hood is better.
• Never dry sweep or blow down. That throws the settled dust straight back into the air. Clean up with an M-class vacuum or wet methods, and bag the waste.
• Abrasive wheels: trained to mount, right wheel, guard on. Only someone trained fits and changes abrasive wheels; use the correct wheel at the correct speed, with the guard in place. A burst wheel is a serious injury.
• Health surveillance may be needed. Regular exposure to silica can require health checks — see your COSHH assessment and take advice for the substances and frequency involved.
• Starting point — get it signed off, and pair it up. Edit for your job and have a competent person review it. It works alongside your COSHH assessment (the substance detail), the HAVS assessment (vibration) and, if you're cutting metal or making sparks, the hot-works permit.