Silica dust exposure is one of the most dangerous and underestimated hazards in today’s industrial and construction environments. With increased inspections by HSE NI across Northern Ireland this summer, ensuring compliance and protecting worker health has never been more urgent.
At Carey Cleaning Machines, we offer advanced silica dust solutions with industry leading equipment from Tennant. Our machines are designed to help you create and implement an effective silica dust exposure control plan, ensuring safety, cleanliness, and compliance.
What is Silica Dust?
Silica dust, also known as respirable crystalline silica (RCS), is produced when materials like concrete, mortar, bricks, tiles, and sandstone are cut, ground, or drilled. These are common materials on construction sites and industrial facilities.
What makes silica dust exposure so hazardous is its extremely fine particle size, at least 100 times smaller than sand. These particles are invisible under normal lighting and can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, leading to severe long-term health conditions like:
Lung cancer
Silicosis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Asthma
As of June 2025, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSE NI) has begun a programme of 500+ inspections to ensure that workplaces are taking appropriate steps to manage silica dust exposure.
Why Managing Silica Dust Exposure Matters
Beyond meeting legal obligations, managing silica dust exposure is essential for employee health, environmental cleanliness, and workplace productivity. Failure to comply with HSE NI standards can lead to penalties, reputational damage, and more importantly, unnecessary health risks for workers.
That’s why having a silica dust exposure control plan backed by effective cleaning equipment is key.
Carey’s Range of Tennant Silica Dust Solutions
Carey Cleaning Machines supplies a full range of Tennant floor cleaning and dust control machines designed to combat silica dust. Tennant’s engineering and dust suppression technology help companies stay compliant while maintaining clean, safe workspaces.
1. Wet Sweeping Machines
Wet sweeping is one of the most effective ways to suppress silica dust exposure during cleaning. Several Tennant rider sweepers are capable of wet sweeping, using a misting system to bind dust and prevent it from becoming airborne. Machines like the Tennant S20, S30, M20 and M30 have wet sweeping capabilities.
2. Water Flooding & Scrubbing
Tennant walk-behind and ride-on scrubbers can perform water flooding and deep scrubbing. This is ideal for high-dust environments and is particularly effective in removing settled silica dust from smooth surfaces. Tennant machines like the T2, T7+, T7 AMR, T12, T16, T16 AMR, T17, T300 and the T500 have water flooding capabilities.
3. Dry Sweeping with HEPA Filtration
Where wet methods are not possible, Tennant machines with high-efficiency HEPA filtration are the solution. These systems capture even the finest particles, ensuring that dangerous silica dust is not recirculated into the air. Tennant machines such as the S10, S20, S30, 800 and the 6100 offer dry sweeping with HEPA Filtration.
All Tennant machines offer advanced manoeuvrability, battery-powered operation for safety, and require minimal maintenance.
Meeting Compliance with HSE NI
With the HSE NI actively conducting inspections throughout the construction sector this summer, now is the time to evaluate your silica dust control measures.
Tennant machines supplied by Carey Cleaning Machines support three key pillars of compliance:
Maintaining air quality through HEPA filtration and dust suppression
Enabling safe environments by reducing airborne and settled dust
Helping meet HSE NI standards through engineered control methods
By investing in the right equipment, you not only protect your team, but also future-proof your business against non-compliance.
The Bottom Line
Silica dust is a silent but serious threat. With HSE NI inspections underway and silica dust regulations tightening, there’s no better time to take action.
Carey Cleaning Machines is here to help with trusted Tennant equipment designed to meet your site’s unique challenges. Whether you operate in construction, manufacturing, or industrial environments, our silica dust solutions are reliable, efficient, and effective.
Get in touch with our team today to learn more about the right machine for your site’s needs and take a step toward a cleaner, safer, and compliant workplace.