Refractory ceramic fibres: recommendations for capturing dust

Refractory ceramic fibres (RCF) are mainly used for industrial furnace thermal insulation and are classed as having carcinogenic potential
for humans by the European Union (Category 1B). This risk imposes reduction of employee exposure to the lowest possible level below the restrictive regulatory limit value of 0.1 fibre/cm3 in force since 1st July 2009. To assist companies in achieving this goal, RCF collection systems were tested on several types of equipment during a 3-year study. Its aim was to evaluate the reduction in emissions ensured by these suction systems. Detailed in this article, these practical examples embody the best practices to be implemented by all occupational risk prevention professionals in this sector: employers, occupational physicians, employees, prevention specialists and corporate health and safety committee (CHSCT) members.