TBT

AL SAHEL CONTRACTING COMPANY LLC Doc. Ref.

Notes
Revision 00
TOOL BOX TALKS TRAINING NOTES Date
Jan-
2022

DUSTS AND FUMES

INTRODUCTION
Exposure to dust and fumes should be prevented where practicable, and must at least be controlled.
Breathing in dust and fumes can have both acute and chronic effects, and can cause long-term health
problems.

WHY?
 Avoid injury: Controlling exposure to hazardous dusts and fumes is really about avoiding the risk of
injury and ill health to those who handle and use such substances.
 Avoid prosecution: The safe use substances (including certain dusts and fumes) have specific
legislation associated with it. Fines can be imposed by the Municipality in breaching legislation.
 Dusts arise from cutting, sanding and grinding operations, and can also be found when working with old
lead pipes (lead oxide dust) or stripping out fibrous insulation (a prime, and very dangerous example
being asbestos).
 Fumes arise from a wider source of origins including welding operations, use of hazardous substances,
heating metals such as lead, burning off old paints, etc.
 The effects vary greatly, but examples of potential hazards include lung disease from silica dust as a
result of cutting / scabbling concrete, cancer from cutting/sanding hardwood dust, metal fume fever from
welding fumes, and lung cancer/asbestosis from exposure to asbestos, to name but a few.

DO DON’T
 Plan work to avoid undue exposure to dusts and fumes DON’T Allow untrained persons to use
or handle hazardous substances
 Remember if elimination is not practicable, then exposure to
DON’T Allow yourself to become
dusts and fumes must be controlled.
distracted when you are using or being
 Use tools with dust extraction systems if possible. exposed to a hazardous substance
including dusts and fumes
 Consider the use of portable extraction equipment.
DON’T Make unnecessary contact with
 Consider use of local exhaust ventilation where practicable. a hazardous substance.
DON’T Mix hazardous substances
 As a last resource, use personal protective equipment / unless you are absolutely sure of what
respiratory protective equipment. you are doing.
 Ensure PPE is suitable and that you know how to use it DON'T Expose other employees to
properly, and how to maintain it. fumes, dust, gas or any other dangers
 Read labels on containers – if no label then do not use! from hazardous substances.
 Know the correct precautions and control measures. DON’T Forget that other in the vicinity of
fume or dust generating operations may
 Know where the first aid and washing facilities are on site. also require PPE
 Always wash hands after use, and do not eat, drink or
smoke when handling hazardous substances.
 If in doubt consult your Supervisor.