Why You Need to Think Twice Before Starting a Major Concrete Drilling Job

If you have a major reconstruction project ahead, you might have to modify an existing concrete structure in order to lay new utilities and prepare for further building work. The existing structure is quite substantial and has been around for some time, so you know that this job is not going to be easy. To make progress, you may have to drill into the slab and surrounding walls to some depth in order and will need to be sure that you are properly equipped or take the right approach to the job. However, did you know that concrete drilling can be potentially hazardous? Why is this, and what should you do in this case? 

Respirable Silica

When you drill into concrete, a considerable amount of dust will be released and within this dust is a potentially dangerous compound known as RCS. Respirable Crystalline Silica, to give it its full name, can be very harmful to the lungs and can create scar tissue that could eventually lead to silicosis. While much will depend on the amount of exposure to the dust, the results could be chronic and lead to excessive coughing and breathing difficulty. According to the Health and Safety Executive in Britain, concrete dust can contain up to 70% silica, and issues can arise quite quickly if you were to breathe in a lot of this dust in a relatively short space of time.

Protective Equipment

At the very least, you must ensure that you wear the proper protective equipment when you are drilling into concrete, and this means a face mask that can process the air through a HEPA filter.

Dust Extraction Machines

You should also use a dust extraction machine at the same time and connect this to your drilling equipment. There are different types of filter available, but you should look for something that has the capability to deal with very fine dust. Some power drilling tools already have dust extraction kits fitted so that the dust can be dealt with at source, but you need to make sure that the type of equipment is available and, more importantly, that you know how to use it.

The Better Approach

Given the amount of work involved and the potential risk associated with silica inhalation, you should probably talk with a concrete contractor instead. They will be fully aware of these risks and will surely have the best equipment to cope with not just the job at hand but the dust as well.

About Me

Building a basement

We have a small house on a small block and we can't extend the house up due to council restrictions. We really need some more storage room though, which is why we have been building a basement extension. It's quite a big project to build a large basement under an existing house and we definitely didn't realise how much work it was going to be before we got started! Now it's finished I'm glad we did it because it has given us a lot more space. This blog shows our project fom start to finish and should be useful for anyone attempting the project.

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