Concrete grinding controls: 5 checks to record

Key takeaways

• Identify the exposure-plan owner and the rule that applies to your site.
• Record extraction equipment checks and examination dates.
• Document respiratory protection, fitting and training information.
• Log cleanup methods, equipment failures and maintenance review information.

What your grinding record should capture

Your record should capture five specific checks before concrete grinding starts. First, identify the exposure-plan owner and the applicable basis for the work. Second, check the extraction equipment assigned to the task. Third, verify respiratory protection and fitting requirements. Fourth, record the cleanup method for dust and debris. Fifth, note maintenance and review information for the controls.

The California DIR / Cal-OSHA rule covers all occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica in construction work. It includes an exception where employee exposure will remain below 25 micrograms/m3 as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) under any foreseeable conditions, according to California DIR / Cal-OSHA. This scope defines when the section applies to your site.

Record these specific jurisdictional values and equipment standards in your daily log. The California figure uses micrograms/m3, while the HSE figure uses milligrams/m3; keep these units distinct in your records. The HSE RPE specification applies to the grinding context described in their guidance. The WorkSafe vacuum requirement specifies a particular standard for the cleaning equipment. Use the daily log checklist to organize these entries alongside your other task records.

Checks 1–2: exposure plan and extraction equipment

Check 1: Identify the exposure-plan owner and applicable basis. Record the name of the competent person designated to implement the written exposure control plan. Under California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 1532.3, the employer must designate a competent person to make frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment to implement the written exposure control plan, according to California DIR / Cal-OSHA. This California rule applies specifically to the jurisdiction and rule cited; it does not establish a universal jobsite rule for other regions.

Check 2: Check extraction equipment performance and examination schedule. Record the date of the last thorough examination and performance test for the dust extraction equipment. HSE guidance states that someone competent should examine any dust extraction equipment thoroughly and test its performance at least once every 14 months, according to HSE. The record should distinguish between the frequent and regular inspections performed by the competent person to implement the plan, as required by California regulations, and the thorough examination and performance test recommended by HSE guidance.

The annual review requirement is distinct from the equipment examination schedule. California regulations require the employer to review and evaluate the effectiveness of the written exposure control plan at least annually and update it as necessary, according to California DIR / Cal-OSHA. This annual review is a separate administrative task from the equipment examination recommended by HSE. When recording these checks, keep the jurisdiction and rule reference clear. Do not combine these figures into a single universal standard. The record should show which rule applies to the specific job site and which competent person is responsible for the inspection.

Check 3: respiratory protection and fit requirements

Record the specific respiratory protection standard and fit-test status for the grinding task. For British sites, you need Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) with an assigned protection factor of 20, with examples including an FFP3 disposable mask or a half mask with a P3 filter, according to HSE. If the selected equipment is a tight-fitting mask, anyone using it needs to be clean-shaven and face-fit tested, according to HSE.

For New Zealand sites, always choose a respirator that fully protects the worker, conforms with AS/NZS 1716, and is selected in accordance with Standard AS/NZS 1715, according to WorkSafe New Zealand. The same source requires providing information, training, and instruction so workers can correctly use, wear, store, and maintain their PPE, according to WorkSafe New Zealand.

Your record should capture the exact standard cited for the respirator selection and the fit-test or training date. Do not record a generic "mask provided" entry; specify the protection factor or standard number listed in the source.

Fill these from the specific jurisdictional source you are following. If you are using a tight-fitting mask on a British site, confirm the clean-shaven and face-fit test status is documented before the worker starts.

Checks 4–5: cleanup, maintenance and review

Check 4: Record the cleanup method. Document the specific tools and procedures used to remove silica dust after grinding. For silica-product spill cleanup, CCOHS advises avoiding dry sweeping. Instead, the guidance states to collect dust using a shovel/scoop or an approved HEPA vacuum and place it in a suitable container for disposal, according to CCOHS. WorkSafe New Zealand specifies using an H-class HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner in accordance with Standard AS60335-2-69, according to WorkSafe New Zealand. The same source notes that workers should not use a household vacuum cleaner to remove dust, according to WorkSafe New Zealand. Record the vacuum class and standard number in your log to verify the equipment matches the cited requirement.

Check 5: Record maintenance and review information. Log the status of engineering controls and safety equipment before handling materials. CCOHS states that before handling, it is important that all engineering controls are operating and that protective equipment requirements and personal hygiene measures are being followed. The guidance also requires immediately reporting leaks, spills, or failures of safety equipment, such as the ventilation system, according to CCOHS. Record the time and date of any reported failure in your maintenance log. Note that these guidelines address silica-product handling and spill cleanup; they do not constitute a complete exposure plan for concrete grinding.

Blank worksheet for maintenance review

Source reference table: jurisdictions and control facts

The table below organizes the supplied source facts by publisher and jurisdiction. Each row presents a specific control fact from the source material, preserving the named units, standards, and scope without conversion or generalization.

Record the specific jurisdictional limit and standard number for your site in the task log. The silica-control record guide can help organize the task details.

Illustrative example: marking a missing entry

An illustrative record has 5 checks, but 1 extraction examination date is missing. Mark that entry as incomplete and direct the competent person's attention to the missing detail. Keep the gap visible until it is reviewed. The other entries do not establish the missing date or prove exposure is below a limit.

Today’s next step: review the existing record and mark unresolved gaps

Compare today’s concrete grinding task against the existing written exposure control plan before work begins. Identify the specific equipment, respiratory protection and cleanup methods listed for this task. Mark any gaps where the record does not clearly state the owner or the check status. Your record should show who is responsible for these inspections and when they occurred. If the plan does not name a competent person for this specific grinding operation, note that gap. If the extraction equipment type is not listed, mark that field as incomplete. If the respiratory protection fit-test date is missing, flag it for review. Do not assume the plan covers this task if the record is silent. Use the gaps you mark to direct the competent person’s attention to the missing details. The goal is a record that shows the plan is being implemented on the job site. Keep the marked gaps visible until the competent person reviews them.

FAQ about concrete grinding control records

Is an action level the same as an exposure limit?

No; California DIR / Cal-OSHA gives different figures for the action level and exposure limit. These specific values and averaging periods belong to the California jurisdiction and do not establish a universal limit for other regions.

What does HSE recommend for grinding respiratory protection?

HSE specifies a required level of protection rather than a single mask type. This recommendation is specific to the context of scabbling or grinding as described by the British regulator.

What should be checked on dust extraction equipment?

Check the last competent examination date and performance-test record against the HSE guidance. Record the next scheduled test in your maintenance log.

Can a household vacuum be used for silica dust?

No, according to WorkSafe New Zealand. This guidance is specific to the New Zealand jurisdiction and addresses the limitations of standard vacuum cleaners for workplace dust removal. Use equipment specifically designed for industrial dust control instead.

Do visual control checks prove the exposure is below a limit?

No, looking at the controls does not measure the actual air quality. Visual checks confirm that equipment is present and operating, but they do not quantify the concentration of airborne particles. A visual check that extraction is running does not prove the exposure is below the action level or any other limit.