Cutting Tiles Silica Risks
Summary
This SIM provides specific guidance to Inspectors on the control and enforcement of Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) issues associated with the cutting of concrete and clay roof tiles and single-lap artificial ‘slates’ (i.e. thin reconstituted slate/resin type tiles) in the construction industry.
Note: The guidance contained within this document is interim in nature and issued to ensure that consistent and proportionate action is taken. Work is ongoing through the Construction Division’s Supply Chain process to engage with relevant industry stakeholders so that the most appropriate long term reasonably practicable solutions are determined. It is therefore important to recognise that the guidance contained within this document may be further developed and so subject to subsequent change.
Purpose
The document should be used as the basis to undertake operational work on the control of respiratory risks in accordance with Construction Division’s work plan. It forms part of the ongoing work to reduce long latency diseases associated with specific construction tasks and trades. The aims of this work are to:
- Raise awareness amongst construction employers and employees of long latency respiratory risks through the delivery of appropriate messages.
- Develop and promote good practice control measures for the higher risk tasks and to work with key partners to change behaviour.
Background
During 2009 HSE increased the profile of the health risks associated with Respiratory Crystalline Silica (RCS). In particular Construction Inspectors were given specific advice and enforcement guidance on the cutting of kerbs, flags and paving (further information on this and RCS issues can be found in SIM 02/2009/01[1]).
As a consequence of this work the exposure of workers to RCS associated with the cutting of roof tiles with a cut-off saw (also known by names such as Stihl saw, skill saw, disc cutter, whizzer or con saw) has also been highlighted. This note details interim guidance on the controls that should be implemented when such work is undertaken.
Terminology
In order to understand the issues involved Inspectors need to be aware of the following:
Roofing Tiles
There are a huge variety of tiling products on the market, both plain and interlocking. However, these can be divided into the following main types:
- Clay tiles – either machine or hand moulded from natural clay.
- Concrete tiles – Manufactured from water, cement and aggregates to form a concrete tile using a high pressure extrusion and compaction process.
- Single-Lap artificial ‘Slates’ – Made from reconstituted stone or slate and resin.
Note 1: Natural slate and fibre cement slates are also available. However, there should be no need to cut these with power tools. Instead the required finish can be obtained using the proprietary hammers and cutters available. Consequently such tiles fall outside of the scope of this SIM.
Note 2: In addition to Note 1 above, plain tiles in both clay and concrete can be cut with hand tools. This method should be used where possible to reduce the time spent machine cutting. In some cases machine cutting will be necessary especially when cutting to a point or where a smoother, neater cut is required (e.g. on low level roofs).
