Dusted!
How effective dust solutions make hard work easier and safer
Wherever there is hard work on a construction site, there is also dust. As a result, professionals in trade and industry are exposed to high levels of dust in their day-to-day work. And inhaling dust poses serious health risks. Effective dust extraction is the best way to effectively minimize these dangers. Christoph Bühlen is responsible for vacuum cleaners at Bosch Power Tools and explains how innovative dust solutions not only make work easier for professionals, but also protect their health.
Christoph, why does dust on the construction site not only make a mess, but also damage your health?
Dust that gets into the throat through the mouth and nose, so-called inhalable dust or E-dust, can cause health problems such as dermatitis and conjunctival irritation. In addition, dust that is so fine that it reaches the smallest branches of the lungs, the alveoli, can cause asthma, pneumoconiosis and various types of cancer. This dust is also referred to as A-dust, i.e. alveoli dust or respirable dust. Knowing these differences is key to finding the right protection.
So not all dust is the same. What else do you need to consider?
To minimize health risks, you need different solutions for different dusts. There are three dust classes we have to consider. The first is the L-class. These are slightly hazardous dusts such as typical house dust, and dust from plaster and bricks. M-class refers to medium hazardous dusts. These include, for example, wood dust, mineral and quartz dust and concrete dust. The international standard specification for M-class industrial vacuum cleaners stipulates 99.9 percent separation efficiency and, among other things, a warning device if the volume flow falls below this level and not enough dust can be extracted. H-class ultimately stands for highly hazardous dusts, e.g. fiberglass or materials with mold. L- and M-class dusts are the most common dusts on construction sites.
Dust protection is becoming increasingly important. Why is that?
What used to be often ridiculed due to ignorance is now regulated in accordance with strict occupational health and safety measures. We are also seeing a rethink among users. Many people no longer want to risk their health for their job and younger tradespeople in particular are becoming increasingly aware of occupational health and safety.
How can you find the right dust extraction system?
We have a broad portfolio of vacuum cleaners in our range for dust classes L, M and H. One shining star in our range is the GAS 18V-12 MC Professional cordless vacuum cleaner. It is certified for dust class M and therefore reliably filters 99.9 percent of dust. Powered by just one 18-volt battery, it is portable and compact – yet delivers very high suction power. Thanks to a powerful biturbo motor, the appliance operates with an air flow of up to 30 liters per second. The cordless vacuum cleaner also impresses with its anti-static features, which prevent small electric shocks caused by electrostatic discharge.
How exactly does it work?
The electric charge is dissipated over the components in such a way that less dust sticks to the tool, and all the dust particles are reliably extracted into the container or disposal bag. This protects users from discharge. Working in auto-start mode also makes things very easy. A transmitter can be attached to the tool that automatically switches the vacuum cleaner on and off thanks to vibration detection.
What else needs to be considered to keep dust levels as low as possible during work?
The right accessories are absolutely crucial for keeping dust levels low and make a decisive difference. In our Bosch Expert accessories range, we have therefore included extraction drill bits and adapters for the most demanding applications across all key trades. Our Expert SDS Clean plus-8X and SDS Clean max-8X dust extraction drill bits, for example, remove dust right where it is created: in the drill hole.
Put to the test
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Drilling into a concrete wall with a standard drill bit without dust extraction -
Drilling into a concrete wall with the SDS Clean max-8X dust extraction drill bit
Up to 25 times better dust removal
What is the biggest benefit of this?
The dust extraction drill bits ensure up to 25 times better dust removal than comparable drill bits without dust extraction. This protects machines and accessories and makes work easier for professionals. For example, they no longer have to painstakingly clean holes with compressed air and a brush before installing chemical anchors ‒ the cleaning instructions specified by the manufacturer must of course be followed. Combining drilling and dust extraction into a single step saves time. The four-blade solid carbide drill head also passes effortlessly through reinforced concrete and the steel tube can be removed for cleaning if it becomes clogged with damp concrete, for example. This is a major advantage compared to dust extraction drill bits that only have small openings on the drill head and are difficult or impossible to clean.
Summary
Dust is a major health hazard for professionals on the construction site. Bosch Power Tools offers innovative dust extraction solutions for various dust classes and applications to minimize this risk and make work easier for our users.
Our expert
Christoph Bühlen has been with Bosch Power Tools since 2008. He is responsible for various product groups, including Bosch Professional extraction systems. He previously held various marketing positions at Bosch. What is his motivation? Developing the brand as the key to corporate success. “With sophisticated dust solutions, we contribute to improving the quality of life of users, in short: to offer technology ‘invented for life’.”
