Comment by geetee
2 years ago
I don't think I've ever seen a tradesperson wearing PPE. Recent example: our neighbor had some stonework done, and these guys were just casually hanging out in clouds of cement and stone dust.
2 years ago
I don't think I've ever seen a tradesperson wearing PPE. Recent example: our neighbor had some stonework done, and these guys were just casually hanging out in clouds of cement and stone dust.
Wearing PPE is miserable. The respiratory masks that reliably keep silica out of your lungs are painful. My job involves working with silica powders and I can really only handle about 20-30 minutes decked out in my bunny suit, respirator, over eye goggles, gloves and disposable sleeves before I need to take a break for air. This is in a climate controlled environment with a minimally physical set of tasks.
Having workers wear PPE is the worst, last resort form of protection. Solutions like switching to safer materials and improving ventilation work much better in practice.
PPE is the last resort when other mitigation measures are inadequate, but positive-pressure respirators (either powered air-purifying or supplied-air) are really very comfortable. No face seal is required and you've got a constant flow of cool air. Spray painters, asbestos workers, media blasters and many welders will wear one for the majority of their working hours.
Engineered stone is undoubtedly more hazardous than natural stone, but (as the researchers quoted in this article suggest) there is no safe level of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The problem of silicosis long pre-dates the advent of engineered stone and will remain even if the product is banned. If I were working with stone - engineered or natural - I'd want a respirator unless I was absolutely confident in the mitigation measures in place.
Didn't coal miners also use to get silicosis?
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> Wearing PPE is miserable. The respiratory masks that reliably keep silica out of your lungs are painful.
I completely disagree. Is it less comfortable than not wearing a mask? For sure. Do I consider it a burden to wear a P100 respirator when dealing with silica? Nope.
How many hours a day do you typically spend wearing your respirator?
Have you had a professional fit test to see whether your respirator is making an adequate seal? Many folks wear these things far too loosely to pass a basic fitment test.
How many hours a day do you spend moving objects that weight >20lbs while wearing your respirator?
How often do you work on days >30C while decked out in your respirator?
Do you keep your face shaved baby smooth at all times?
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It sounds like what you're saying is that we should ban your job to keep you from harming yourself, and you just find a new profession.
Is a pouch/duckbill style N95 mask adequate for your work? I find them much more comfortable.
Or a PAPR if your job is willing to pay for one.
My dude, wearing PPE sucks. I've been there, in a hot, humid, subtropical, sunny climate, full respirator, mask and overalls. Endless in and out to hydrate and get frsh air.
But the fact is, sufficient dust, of any material is dangerous. I have a friend who was hospitalized with a literal hole in his lung. Partially collapsed lung. He's under 35.
Hard work is hard, it's often uncomfortable, let's not pretend magic bullets are here. If anything they are, PPE is miraculous in what it protects against.
PPE is the wrong solution here. Tools that don’t produce dust are the right solution.
Wet tile saws and waterjets can cut stone (and engineered stone) with essentially no dust. An angle grinder with a dust shroud and HEPA filtered extractor (total cost starts around $400) can do the same thing a regular angle grinder does but with a lot less dust.
And one really can work all day in a pouch-style N95 mask. They don’t collect much more than 95% of fine dust, but they do work, they’re easy to fit, and they’re easy to breathe through. I would wear one for added protection if I were using an angle grinder with a dust extractor. (Although I might use a full mask respirator instead for eye protection. And PAPRs are pretty great if rather expensive.)
> PPE is the wrong solution here. Tools that don’t produce dust are the right solution.
"Essentially no dust" is not "no dust". There are no safe levels of silica that can be introduced to your lungs.
> And one really can work all day in a pouch-style N95 mask
N95 is basically the bare minimum in terms of filters. In my shop I have a shop vac with a tornado tumbler that attaches to tools for fine wood dust and a full face P-100 mask.
This is the one: https://parcilsafety.com/products/pd100-full-face-respirator
Here's the full filter list: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0128/4037/0235/files/Full_...
It’s also worth noting that no one needs to be in the room when cutting with CNC tools. A negative-pressure room with HEPA-filtered exhaust is fairly easy to set up.
There is no safe level of sun exposure in terms of skin cancer, either (although ironically you need Vitamin D, if you don't get it from dietary sources).
There is no safe level of alcohol consumption, there is no safe level of car exhaust fumes, etc.
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You might look into one of these, I find they're great for getting dust from vertical trim cuts.
https://rousseauco.com/product/rousseau-5000-l-lighted-dust-...
They even have „sun glasses“. Definitely cool. I think PPE is a must, when you work with abrasive tools.
If you ask yourself „should I wear safety equipment“ the answer is always yes.
>pouch-style N95 mask
No profession experience, yet the pouch style I found both uncomfortable at higher temperatures and unreliable. So for a normally hobby/around-the-house work I use only half mask respirator Pretty much, it requires proper shaving to ensure it actually does something.
Angle grinders with dust extraction hoods are extremely effective. I've used one to cut tile, and to cut slits into walls... almost zero dust. It's incredible.
Saves a lot of cleanup time too!
Honestly, a huge innovation in the quality and comfort of respirators would be a massive safety revolution.
If we can make earbuds comfortable enough so that people can wear them 8 hours a day, there's got to be something to do for breathing.
The 3M Auras m, especially the 9210, are really good. That’s what I’ve been wearing for the past 3 years. Comfortable, excellent filtering (I suspect they’d actually qualify as N99, but no one actually buys those. Also like how they come individually plastic wrapped (and folded flat). Makes it really easy to keep a couple in the car car and what not.
Those are face masks, but for respirators a silicone one goes a long way (3M 7503).
Duckbill N95s are pretty amazing. I've worn one for 24h+