Criteria for the enforcement of combating carcinogenic quartz dust have changed

The occupational safety and health authority's enforcement criteria for combatting of quartz dust have changed starting 30 January 2024.

The occupational safety and health authority will require in the future that an H-class dust extraction are or other local exhaust ventilation equipment with sufficient filtration capacity intended for handling carcinogenic dusts be used be used during any work that exposes employees to quartz dust.
 
If an unclassified dust extraction arm is used in the workplace, the employer must ensure from its manufacturer or importer that the device in question can be used in accordance with the regulations for combatting quartz-rich dust.
 
Until now, occupational safety and health inspections have required that workplaces use an M-class dust extraction arms or other local exhaust ventilation equipment with sufficient filtration capacity. This requirement related to dust extraction arms has now changed.
The occupational safety and health authority has been sent questions on the matter, which we will answer on our website here