A campaign by The National Federation of Roofing Contractors to cut exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust is encouraging builders to reduce exposure to other types of particles, making life healthier, safer and more comfortable for their workforce, says Actis
The NFRC’s Cut the Dust campaign focuses specifically on eliminating exposure to silica dust, which is generated when cutting tiles, slates and mortar.
These can cause life-threatening illnesses such as silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and kidney disease with repeated prolonged exposure.
Actis UK and Ireland sales director Mark Cooper said: “RCS is just one form of potentially hazardous airborne particle which can be generated by sawing, drilling or cutting construction materials.
“Wood, glass fibre and polyurethane dust are among other culprits which can cause respiratory illnesses or eye, skin, nose or mouth irritation and discomfort.”
Why switch from solid to reflective insulation?
Among the methods builders are investigating as they look into adjusting their practices to protect their workforce is switching from solid to reflective insulation products, he says.
Some builders even say the dust-free nature of Actis’ reflective blanket insulation and insulating membranes is the number one reason they choose them.
The products, which include honeycomb structured insulation Hybris and two-in-one reflective insulation with an integrated vapour barrier, Eolis HC, can be cut with a saw or a hand-operated cutter, with installers not needing any PPE or masks.
Northamptonshire builder Chris Brooks, who has been using Actis products for around 20 years, says: “It’s incredibly clean, and there’s no dust. I always love it when an architect specifies Actis. In fact, if they specified a PIR board instead, I’d encourage them to consider the benefits of Actis. It’s so much nicer to use when you’re installing it.”
Actis insulation products guarantee health and safety
In fact, Actis products contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or harmful chemical components such as formaldehyde or phenol and are guaranteed non-irritant and classified A+ for indoor air quality according to the NF EN ISO 16000 standard.
As well as the comfort of not inhaling dust or fibres, lightweight Actis products, which are largely made up of layers of air, are also easy to handle – something welcomed by York builder Ben Wardell from All Round Developments.
“Cutting PIR board creates dust and rigid waste,” he said. “Glass fibres can become airborne and irritate the lungs, skin and eyes. It becomes difficult to contain once disturbed, as it starts to travel through the air.
“Storing and moving Actis material is great. Other companies store the 8 x 4 PIR boards outside, write a cutting list, run downstairs, cut it in the garden, or struggle to lift it onto the scaffold. They run back upstairs with a length of PIR board, run back down for the second length, over and over.
“When using Actis, passing the packs up the scaffold is made easy due to the size and lightweight packs, and carrying them up the stairs is not a problem. All cutting is done inside, so you don’t need to worry about the weather or any bits blowing into next door’s garden.
“Plus, it’s easy for one person to take the material from the delivery lorry, load out, cut and fit, whereas with the PIR board it’s more of a two-person job to move and carry it up the stairs.”
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