1. Pilot Study to Reduce Worker Exposure to RCS
Kathy O’Leary
BAM Ireland

2. Pilot Study Carried out on 2 No. Dublin 8 Projects
Aloft Hotel
Mill Street Student Accommodation

3. Hierarchy of Controls
We used the hierarchy of controls as a guide to best practice

4. Areas of Concern
Traditional Blockwork- Designs involving blockwork that produce RCS dust.
Coring and Cutting of openings in concrete slabs- producing RCS dust.
Tiling and Cutting of tiles- large amounts of RCS dust in enclosed areas.
Suppression or extraction of RCS dust.
RPE- not used correctly

5. Substitution to Reduce RCS
D&B Contract
Designers for Mill Street SA: Shay Cleary Architects
Designers for Aloft Hotel: Plus Architects
Civil & Structural Design on both projects: Donnacha O’Brien and Associates
Early engagement with designers and design development
Workshop held with various design teams to seek alternatives to RCS producing materials

6. Substitution: Blockwork
Metsec Walls instead of blockwork
RCS dust eliminated by not drilling into blockwork.
The system had significant programme benefits.
Significantly less requirement for scaffolding
Metsec=light gauge metal infill walling

7. Substitution: Pre-Cast Units
Early co-ordination of openings for services.
Casting in of containment meant no requirement for cutting on site.
Pre-formed opes.
The original design was in-situ formed concrete.
Workshop held with the structural engineer and architect for solutions to avoid RCS producing materials in the structure

8. Substitution: Shot Fixing
Workshop held with M&E Service Designers
Shot fixing instead of drilling for services was agreed where possible

9. Substitution: Plasterboard
The only blockwork used was for an ESB sub-station as they would not deviate from their design. However, we engaged with them after the project and they were interested in investigating using materials other than blockwork for sub-stations
Workshop held with design engineers and architects
All blockwork was removed from the job and alternative plasterboard/pre-cast/shaft walls solutions were substituted.

10. Substitution : Flooring
We sought without success a floor sealant to prevent dust
We couldn’t find one that did not affect the adhesion of the floors.
Ger floor (composite plastic) was used to eliminate MDF product cutting and associated dust.

11. Substitution: Facade Cast in Anchors
Anchors used to prevent drilling.
Jura Beige Limestone could not be changed as it was a planning requirement.
In conjunction with the engineers we co-ordinated the stone package early in the project and allowed for all supporting bracketry to be cast in to the pre-cast elements.

12. Substitution: Bathroom Pods
Pre-finished bathroom pods
Tile install and associated works that create RCS were carried out in a controlled factory environment.

13. Design to Reduce RCS
Ethos were the M&E designers
LMC Mechanical and O’Neill Electrical were electrical
Early engagement with design team and all specialist suppliers
Commitment to implementing a fully BIM designed project.
Project completed with no concrete cores or concrete chasing for services.

14. Project Controls Outline your requirements
Use of extraction for tools to be included in the pre-start minutes of commercial/safety meetings for sub- contractors
Method Statements and Risk Assessments must specifically include for prevention/minimisation of RCS dust.

15. Project Controls Control of Sources
Extraction for tools. Partnering with Hilti & HSS Hire for discounted price on extraction units.
Water suppression on tools

16. Project Controls Control of Sources
Bulk clean up-remove large waste to allow for floor cleaning.
Vacuum the dust- no sweeping!
Lorries covered and loads of stone sprayed with water
Bulk clean up includes plasterboard offcuts, timber offcuts, cardboard boxes, excess materials.
Wheelie bins in corridors to remove bulk waste. Ensure lids are kept on the wheelie bins

17. Project Controls Communication Emphasis at induction
Talk about it: Toolbox Talks, Whiteboard meetings, Weekly health and safety meetings with all contractors on site
Noticeboards/Posters

18. Project Controls Communication
Information and awareness included in our behavioural safety workshops
Prizes awarded for best “Good Catch” card on RCS dust
Ensure Risk Assessment: Safe Work Plans and Method Statements
SWP updated to include for Silica dust-safe system in place

19. Project Controls Communication
RCS dust information boards on all levels of the projects
FFP3 masks provided at PPE stations

20. Project Controls Monitoring
Dust monitors located internally in the site and along the site boundaries. No breaches occurred.
Audit Compliance
No requirement to monitor internally.

21. Respiratory protective equipment
Full Face Mask
FFP3 Standard mask where training must be provided to fit and use
Glasses fogged up on FFP3.
SC’s bought full face masks for their operatives. HSS gave discounts. Also no need to be clean shaven

22. Findings
Buy in early is required from designers, sub-contractors and site management
The use of BIM eliminated all issues with coring holes and associated dust.
Programme advantage by using offsite construction and by using products which were quicker to install.
Productivity increased, labour costs reduced by 35% and cleaning costs at project hand-over were 18% below average

23. Findings Regular communication and enforcement improved compliance
Highlight awareness at induction stage to operatives and supervisors. Keep awareness high by pro-actively keeping RCS dust prevention to the fore.
95% of Sub-Contractors on site purchased dust extraction units for their tools
Zero complaints from neighbours about dust
Feedback from the workforce was positive that the work environment was more pleasant.
Not working in dusty environments and not bringing dust home on their clothes

24. Recommendations
Early consultation with the design team to plan for elimination or substitution.
Use BIM for design.
Include a requirement for tool dust extraction as part of commercial/safety pre-start meetings
Liaise with tool suppliers to do deals for extraction units
Stress the importance at induction and ensure ongoing awareness training

25. Recommendations Develop an e-learning module on RCS for management
Full face masks to be used to improve compliance
Measure compliance and give feedback to the management and workers
Encourage employee feedback and engagement.

26. ‘The pilot was a success because all involved realised that by partaking we are protecting our futures’
Design team, contractors and sub-contractors.