Understanding Dust Hazards in Brick Production

What causes dust in brick production?

The most common sources of dust in brick production are:

• The grinding and crushing of raw materials.
• The handling of the raw materials.
• The transfer of finished products.

This can produce a lot of fine particles that can accumulate in the air to form dust cloud, but often the dust is so fine the naked eye cannot see it. The raw materials used in making bricks, such as clay, shale, and sand, can also contribute to dust in the production process. Finally, improper installation of machinery and equipment can also lead to dust in brick production.

What are the risks of brick dust?

Breathing in brick dust can be very dangerous as it can contain silica particles, otherwise known as Respirable crystalline silica (RCS). RCS can cause various respiratory issues, such as silicosis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Inhaling these particles can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat and can cause coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Exposure to these particles over time can lead to long-term health problems, including lung scarring and reduced lung capacity. It is important to limit exposure to brick dust through LEV Systems and to wear protective equipment when working with it.

What is silica dust?

Silica dust is airborne particulate matter containing tiny particles of respirable crystalline silica. It is produced when materials containing silica, such as sand, rock, concrete, and other construction materials, are disturbed and become airborne. A brick has up to 30% silica content.

How to protect your staff from silica dust

Employers must comply with The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) to protect their staff and those nearby from silica dust. The best way to protect your staff is to use dust control at the source of the process or area where it is being created. Additional steps to take are;

• Avoiding dry sweeping: install fixed vacuum systems
  Provide your staff with personal protective equipment such as respirators, dust masks, and protective clothing.
• Provide comprehensive training to your staff about the dangers of silica dust and how to protect themselves.
• Work practices such as good housekeeping, proper maintenance of equipment.
• Taking these steps can help further reduce the risk of exposure to silica dust.

How to Select the Right Dust Filter

Choosing the right dust filter for brick production is an important decision. To ensure you select the best filter for your needs it is important to consider the following factors:

• Air Flow: Determine the required air flow rate and select a filter that can accommodate it.
• Efficiency: Consider the filter's efficiency in terms of the size and type of particles it can capture.
• Durability: Look for dust filters that are designed to withstand the harsh environment of brick production.

Meet integratedAIR Filtration's Dust Extraction Solution for Brick production

Suitable for a wide range of dry dust and fume process requirements, integratedAIR Filtration's BlueClean® units can adapt to any need within the brick production industry.

Contact our Team!

Are you exposed to dust in brick production and are looking for an effective dust extraction system?
Reach out to our Sales Team today