Dust comes with the territory at any given construction site. From the roads to cutting concrete.  Other than just making us dirty this dust can also lead to life threatening illnesses, such as lung disease, silicosis and kidney disease. We can definitely lower our chances of these diseases by following these steps.

First and foremost if you can remove the hazard; do so.  Use wet cutting, including chloride (it helps retain moisture longer than water), wet dusty roads and use low-dust joint compounds.  Good housekeeping is a must. If possible use plastic sheeting for an easy cleanup, invest in a good shop vacuum and wear your respirator. Be sure you have the proper mask and/or cartridges.

In our line of work dust is inevitable, but having a lifelong battle with lung disease doesn’t have to be. Make sure to use any means necessary to reduce your risk.