Portable/on-tool extraction

BWF Technical Officer Stevie Taylor advises on portable/on-tool extraction, which is an important part of the LEV in your business.  The HSE remain heavily focussed on dust in the workplace and the control measures businesses have in place to remove or minimise the risk.

HSE guidance advises to use the correct classification of dust extraction system for connecting to portable tools, for example, cordless track saws or hand-held routers. All power tool extraction systems will be classified either L (Low), M (Medium) or H (High) and they all have different uses. In construction, the HSE state that an H or M Class unit would be suitable as they provide effective, reliable extraction capabilities alongside being fitted with a low-flow indicators. An L class unit would not be suitable as it does not have the correct filtration, or a low-flow indicator and they will normally only be suitable for lower toxicity dust like gypsum in plasterboard. HEPA filters in a commercial general vacuum will not be safe for wood dusts.

A low-flow indicator is a warning (usually audible) a machine will give if the unit is not operating efficiently or there is a blockage alerting the user to stop and either replace the filter, empty the bag or check for any faults. This is not to be confused with some extractors which have an auto clean function that makes a loud popping noise, essentially knocking any dust from the filter down into the drum of the machine.

Most power tool manufacturers have a range of L, M & H class portable extraction systems which are designed to have powered tools plugged directly into them. When you use the system in this way, once you turn on your power tool the extractor will automatically turn on at the same time. It is good practice to check the limitations of the extractor is the maximum power take off the extractor can provide. Prior to buying a portable extractor it is worth noting that some of the larger power tools, such as routers and chop saws (mitre saws) draw a significant amount of power and certain extractors will not be suitable for providing the needed current. With cordless power tools, your extractor will not activate manually as they do not require plugging in, so the extractor will have to be turned on manually. Some manufacturers provide a limited solution by offering a Bluetooth button cuff which connects to a Bluetooth enabled extractor. An example would be that you would have the Bluetooth button cuff on the extraction hose near the power tool. This would be a benefit if you are quite a distance from the extractor or in an awkward position, you would press the Bluetooth button and it will turn on the extractor without having to go back to the machine. This is a relatively new feature on tools with only a limited number of manufacturers offering Bluetooth enabled power tools, please speak to your supplier for more information or a demonstration.

A document which is useful for highlighting the requirements of on-tool extraction is the Construction Information Sheet No. 69 (CIS69) from the HSE website.