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851 Silica Dust Safety in Construction
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Best Practices for Cutting

  • All saws: When possible, make sure they are equipped with integrated water delivery systems that continuously feed water to the blade.
  • Handheld saws: In addition to water delivery systems, use respiratory protection with an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) when using handheld power saws as follows:
    • when working outdoors for longer than four hours per shift
    • always when working indoors in an enclosed area
  • Fiber-cement handheld saws: When using handheld saws for cutting fiber-cement board outdoors, use saws equipped with commercially available dust collection system. If the above requirements are met, respiratory protection is not required.
  • Walk-behind saws: In addition to water delivery systems, use respiratory protection with an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) when using handheld power saws as follows:
    • when working outdoors for longer than four hours per shift
    • always when working indoors in an enclosed area
  • Drivable saws: These tools are for outdoor tasks only. Use with an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade. When this requirement is met, no respiratory protection is required when working outdoors.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-4. Which tools are for outdoor tasks only?