Plan
Move the article into an operating plan.
Good guidance should become owned work, review points and clear next actions inside the contractor workspace.
Put this into practice
COSHH/SDS
COSHH/SDS
Silica Dust Controls for Construction Sites
A construction safety guide for planning, recording and reviewing silica dust controls on cutting, drilling, grinding and dusty work.
2 min read
COSHH/SDS
Resource article
Connect the guidance to related Zektrx workflows, templates, calculators and evidence records.5Sections
4Related links
3FAQs
Resource In Product
Show where the article becomes controlled work.
This resource should not sit apart from the product. Zektrx connects the guidance to planning, controlled records and review-ready evidence so teams can act on it.
1
Plan
COSHH/SDS
2
Control
Risk Assessment Software for Construction
3
Review
COSHH Assessment Template
Control
Connect the topic to documents and evidence.
The resource should point into controlled records, current versions, approvals and the proof teams need later.
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Risk Assessment Software for Construction
Review
Keep the outcome ready for management review.
Reports and audit packs make the article practical after the work is complete, not just useful while reading.
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COSHH Assessment Template
Article Overview
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Review the topic, reading time, editorial status and related Zektrx workflows before moving into the detailed guidance.
1
Topic
COSHH/SDS
COSHH/SDS
2
Reading path
2 min
5 article sections
3
Review status
5 July 2026
Published 5 July 2026
4
Connected links
7
COSHH Software for Construction
Plan dust control before the task starts
Silica is found in materials such as concrete, bricks, mortar, sand, stone and tiles. When these materials are cut, drilled, ground or broken, fine respirable crystalline silica dust can be produced.
The smallest dust is the hardest to see and the most important to control. Do not wait until a visible cloud appears before treating the task as a health risk.
Use the assess, control and review habit
A silica dust record should show how the team has assessed the task, selected controls and checked whether those controls are still working.
- Identify the material, task, tool and duration.
- Reduce dust at source where possible.
- Use water suppression or on-tool extraction where suitable.
- Confirm RPE is suitable, face-fit tested and worn correctly when required.
- Keep other workers away from dusty work areas.
- Record cleaning methods that avoid dry sweeping.
- Review controls when tools, materials or conditions change.
Link dust controls to RAMS and COSHH
Silica dust should not be hidden inside a generic method statement. Link the dust controls to the RAMS, COSHH assessment, toolbox talk, inspection and any health surveillance requirements identified by competent people.
The record should be practical enough for supervisors to check on site. If the control depends on a vacuum, water feed, RPE model or exclusion zone, name it clearly.
Useful official guidance
Review HSE silica dust guidance, HSE construction dust guidance and HSE health surveillance guidance for RCS.
How Zektrx helps
Zektrx helps teams connect silica dust controls to COSHH, RAMS, SDS records, toolbox talks, photos and action close-out. That makes dust control easier to review instead of leaving it as a line buried in a template.
Related Zektrx workflow
More ways to use this coshh/sds guide.
Put it into practice
Turn this guide into a working Zektrx workflow.
Start with the 拢5 for 14 days trial, then connect RAMS, jobs, stock, documents, records and reporting in one place.
Knowledge Journey
Learn, use, then automate.
1. Learn
GuideCOSHH/SDS
COSHH assessment checklist for contractors
A COSHH assessment checklist for recording substances, SDS references, exposure routes, controls, PPE, storage and briefings.
GuideCOSHH/SDS
COSHH records and safety data sheet guide
Learn how to connect COSHH assessments, safety data sheets, substance registers, task controls and workforce briefings.
GuideCOSHH/SDS
COSHH software guide for construction contractors
A contractor guide to COSHH software features for SDS records, substance registers, job links, briefings, reviews and evidence.
2. Use
CalculatorHealth & Safety
Noise Exposure Calculator
Estimate daily noise exposure from sound level and exposure duration. Free online tool for UK construction and trade teams.
CalculatorHealth & Safety
Working at Height Calculator
Screen work-at-height task risk using height, duration, people and control rating. Free online tool for UK construction and trade teams.
CalculatorHealth & Safety
HAVS Calculator
Estimate hand-arm vibration A(8) exposure from vibration magnitude and trigger time. Free online tool for UK construction and trade teams.
3. Automate
Featurecoshh
COSHH Software for Construction
Track COSHH assessments, substance controls, SDS records and site acceptance.
Featurerisk assessment
Risk Assessment Software
Build controlled risk assessments with owners, review dates and linked evidence.
Featurerisk assessment
Risk Assessment Software for Construction
Construction-specific risk assessment workflows for hazards and site controls.
4. Start
Create a risk assessment in Zektrx.
Turn hazards, controls, owners, reviews and evidence into a controlled risk assessment workflow.
Create Risk AssessmentRelated Content
Connected resources for this topic.
Related Guides
Keep learning
GuideCOSHH/SDS
COSHH assessment checklist for contractors
A COSHH assessment checklist for recording substances, SDS references, exposure routes, controls, PPE, storage and briefings.
GuideCOSHH/SDS
COSHH records and safety data sheet guide
Learn how to connect COSHH assessments, safety data sheets, substance registers, task controls and workforce briefings.
GuideCOSHH/SDS
COSHH software guide for construction contractors
A contractor guide to COSHH software features for SDS records, substance registers, job links, briefings, reviews and evidence.
Related Calculators
Run the numbers
CalculatorHealth & Safety
Noise Exposure Calculator
Estimate daily noise exposure from sound level and exposure duration. Free online tool for UK construction and trade teams.
CalculatorHealth & Safety
Working at Height Calculator
Screen work-at-height task risk using height, duration, people and control rating. Free online tool for UK construction and trade teams.
CalculatorHealth & Safety
HAVS Calculator
Estimate hand-arm vibration A(8) exposure from vibration magnitude and trigger time. Free online tool for UK construction and trade teams.
Related Templates
Document the work
TemplateCOSHH
COSHH Assessment Template
Record substances, SDS details, exposure routes, PPE, storage and emergency controls. Free, editable construction template from Zektrx.
TemplateRisk Assessments
Construction Risk Assessment Template
Identify hazards, people at risk, existing controls, further actions and review dates. Free, editable construction template from Zektrx.
TemplateRAMS
RAMS Template
A controlled structure for task hazards, method statement steps, controls, signatures and review evidence.
Related Features
Automate the workflow
Featurecoshh
COSHH Software for Construction
Track COSHH assessments, substance controls, SDS records and site acceptance.
Featurerisk assessment
Risk Assessment Software
Build controlled risk assessments with owners, review dates and linked evidence.
Featurerisk assessment
Risk Assessment Software for Construction
Construction-specific risk assessment workflows for hazards and site controls.
Related Industries
Trade workflows
Industryroofing
Roofing Contractors Software
Roofing contractor RAMS, work-at-height controls, permits, photos, site records and client evidence.
Industryscaffolding
Scaffolders Software
Scaffolding contractor RAMS, inspections, handover certificates, permits, photos and site evidence. One platform for documents, evidence and compliance.
Industryelectrical
Electrical Contractors Software
Electrical contractor RAMS, permits, testing evidence, drawings, site records and handover packs. One platform for documents, evidence and compliance.
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Zektrx vs Paper RAMS
Compare Zektrx with paper RAMS and Word/PDF RAMS packs for contractors that need signatures, revisions, review evidence and site acceptance.
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Zektrx vs SafetyCulture
Compare Zektrx with SafetyCulture for contractors that need inspections plus RAMS, permits, documents, actions, site diaries and construction evidence packs.
Related FAQs
Do I still need the SDS?
Yes. The COSHH assessment should reference current safety data sheet information.
From COSHH Assessment Template
Can Zektrx store SDS files?
Yes. COSHH records can link substances, SDS files, controls and review dates.
From COSHH Assessment Template
Does this replace noise monitoring?
No. Use competent monitoring and legal guidance for exposure assessment and controls.
From Noise Exposure Calculator
What if there are multiple tools?
Assess each exposure and combine them with a suitable occupational noise method.
From Noise Exposure Calculator
FAQ
Questions about this resource.
Who should use this coshh/sds resource?
This resource is for contractor, site, compliance and operations teams reviewing silica dust controls for construction sites and deciding which records should become controlled workflows.
Can this be managed in Zektrx?
Yes. Zektrx is designed to turn recurring construction checklists, documents, actions, signatures and evidence into connected workflows.
Is this a replacement for competent professional advice?
No. Use this as practical workflow guidance and keep competent legal, safety, engineering or site-specific review where required.