Firstly they are not dust masks they are disposable RPE. Dust masks are those things you get from B&Q etc and are only intended to deal with “nuisance dust”.

If you decide to use it should be on the basis of a risk assessment. Your risk assessment should tell what is the most suitable from of RPE if that is the way you choose to go but before going for RPE you should look at the hierarchy of controls and establish why more effective controls cannot be used instead starting with avoiding exposure to the hazardous substances, through substation for something less harmful to managing the exposure at source to LEV etc.

The HSE has made it clear that they are not allowing for any “leniency” when it comes to effective controls. The risk posed by hazardous substances is the same today as it was in March.

Healthy

By 15 minutes that could have been old advice regarding covid.

There is new guidance regarding social distancing for covid and RPE.

Version 4 of the guidance can be found at construction leadership council, but if you work in construction I would assume you will be working to this anyway.

Gary

Another embarrased poster trying to hide the evidence forgetting the answers remain until either the respondent or moderator removes them.

Synopsis: would the HSE let them get away with using FFP2 because they are unable to source FFP3 in relation to an activity generating silica dust

ah ok.  We're having a similar issue, we are struggling to get FFP3 filters for moldex masks (lots for 3M).  Ours are used for general protection with A2 vapour filters.  We always use FFP3 but as no one has them we're using FFP2's but only for general sanding.  We've looked and they are suited to this type of work, not the best level but suitable.

The really optimistic will point out that this is the year in the Mayan calendar that the world ends.

There are still supply chain problems for PPE masks which have not been helped by decrees for face coverings attracting the speculators who have been snapping up available supply to sell on at extortionate profit.

https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2020/06/26/dust-mask-shortage-intensifying-for-contractors/