Respirable Crystalline Silica — RCS Dust Extraction & COSHH | V-TUF
Respirable crystalline silica — dust extraction and COSHH compliance for construction
Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is the most significant occupational health hazard in the UK construction industry. Cutting, grinding, drilling, chasing and breaking work on silica-containing materials — concrete, sandstone, brick, mortar, tiles and engineered stone — generates fine airborne particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and cannot be exhaled. Prolonged exposure causes silicosis, an irreversible and potentially fatal lung disease. RCS also causes lung cancer and is associated with kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The regulatory framework — COSHH and the WEL
Respirable crystalline silica is a hazardous substance under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). The Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) for RCS is 0.1 mg/m³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Research consistently shows that dry cutting, grinding and drilling on silica-containing materials without extraction can generate airborne RCS at concentrations ten to one hundred times the WEL within seconds of starting work.
M-Class vs H-Class for silica
M-Class extraction is the minimum standard for general construction dust including RCS from concrete, brick and mortar cutting and grinding. M-Class extractors filter to 99.9% efficiency.
H-Class extraction is required where the silica concentration is particularly high — engineered stone (which contains up to 93% silica by weight), flint, chert, and other very high-silica materials, and where the COSHH assessment identifies that M-Class is insufficient. H-Class filters to 99.995% efficiency with sealed disposal.
Engineered stone specifically: Since January 2024, the HSE has strongly indicated that M-Class alone is insufficient for dry cutting of engineered stone worktops, and H-Class with water suppression is the expected standard.
Water suppression — required, not optional
Water suppression during cutting and grinding is not an alternative to on-tool extraction. On-tool water suppression reduces airborne RCS by 80–95%. The water feed must be continuous throughout the operation. Wet cutting produces silica-laden slurry that dries and returns to respirable dust form — slurry must be removed before it dries using wet methods or an H-Class vacuum. Dry sweeping dried slurry is prohibited under COSHH.
What is illegal — dry sweeping and compressed air
Dry sweeping re-suspends settled RCS back into the breathing zone. It is a COSHH breach. Clean-up must use wet sweeping methods or an H-Class vacuum.
Compressed air blowing to clean dust off surfaces or clothing disperses settled RCS at high concentration across a wide area. It is prohibited under COSHH where hazardous dusts are present.
The complete RCS control package
- On-tool M-Class or H-Class extraction — capturing RCS at source during cutting and grinding.
- On-tool water suppression — reducing airborne RCS by 80–95% during high-risk cutting operations. Requires continuous water feed.
- H-Class vacuum for slurry and clean-up — removing wet cutting slurry before it dries, vacuuming surfaces instead of dry sweeping.
- Wet wash-down capability — periodic surface decontamination of cutting areas and access routes.
V-TUF machines for RCS extraction — M-Class
V-TUF GRINDEX1100LP — 20L M-Class, 110V and 240V
Compact M-Class industrial dust extractor with HEPA+PTFE cartridge filter, manual reverse-flow filter cleaning and Longopac® continuous bagging. 200 m³/h airflow. The compact site specification for grinding, cutting and drilling operations generating RCS. SKU GRINDEX1100LP-110 / GRINDEX1100LP-240.
View GRINDEX1100LP 240V → View GRINDEX1100LP 110V →
V-TUF MIGHTY HSV — 21L M-Class, 110V and 240V
Autostart PTO for angle grinders, cut-off saws and wall chasers. Sustained on-tool M-Class extraction. SKU MIGHTYHSV110 / MIGHTYHSV240. View MIGHTY HSV →
V-TUF MIGHTY XL HSV — 37L M-Class, 110V and 240V
Larger capacity M-Class for higher-throughput site work. SKU MIGHTYXLHSV110 / MIGHTYXLHSV240. View MIGHTY XL HSV →
V-TUF machines for RCS extraction — H-Class
V-TUF GRINDEX1100LPS — 25L H-Class, 110V and 240V — from £1,999
Compact H-Class industrial dust extractor with automatic reverse-flow filter cleaning and tool-start PTO socket. Optional H14 secondary filter for the highest-hazard operations. 200 m³/h airflow, Longopac® bagging. The compact H-Class specification for engineered stone cutting, high-silica materials and slurry clean-up. SKU GRINDEX1100LPS-110 / GRINDEX1100LPS-240.
View GRINDEX1100LPS 240V → View GRINDEX1100LPS 110V →
V-TUF GRINDEX1200LPS — H-Class twin-motor, IP54, 110V and 240V — £3,400
Twin bypass-motor H-Class with fully automatic filter cleaning and IP54 protection. For sustained surface prep — grinders and scarifiers generating continuous high-volume hazardous dust. SKU GRINDEX1200LPS-110 / GRINDEX1200LPS-240.
View GRINDEX1200LPS 240V → View GRINDEX1200LPS 110V →
V-TUF GRINDEX1300LPS — H-Class three-motor 3300W, 110V and 240V
Three-motor H-Class for large-scale surface preparation and sustained high-output silica-generating work. 510 m³/h (240V) / 450 m³/h (110V). Optional 100L tank. SKU GRINDEX1300LPS-110 / GRINDEX1300LPS-240.
View GRINDEX1300LPS 240V → View GRINDEX1300LPS 110V →
V-TUF MIDI HSV — 21L H-Class, 110V and 240V
Compact van-friendly H-Class for trades working with engineered stone and slurry clean-up. SKU MIDIHSV110 / MIDIHSV240. View MIDI HSV →
V-TUF MAXi — 50L and 80L H-Class, 110V and 240V
High-capacity H-Class for sustained high-output silica-generating work and larger sites. View MAXi →
LEV testing — Regulation 9
Any dust extractor used as local exhaust ventilation (LEV) must be examined and tested at least every 14 months under COSHH Regulation 9. Records must be kept for 5 years. If an LEV system fails examination, work that generates the controlled dust must stop until the system is repaired and re-examined.
RPE face-fit testing
Where RPE forms part of the control plan for RCS, COSHH Regulation 7 requires each individual wearer to be face-fit tested for the specific RPE model they are using. Face-fit testing is a legal requirement, not a recommendation.
RAMS, pre-start documentation and silica
The RAMS must specify the extraction class and machine model being used, and whether water suppression is deployed. Naming the specific machine — GRINDEX1100LP (M-Class), GRINDEX1100LPS / MIDI HSV / MAXi (H-Class) — by model gives the Principal Contractor an auditable answer. HSE inspectors will check for the presence of prohibited practices and for evidence of LEV examination records.
Trade accounts
V-TUF operates trade and contractor account terms for construction contractors. UK warehouse, UK technical support, spares held for every machine in current production.
Telephone: 01522 787978. Email through the contact page.