First, describe the work and worksite
A trained cleanup worker will collect known settled brick, CMU and mortar fine dust from a released indoor ground-floor work bay using an identified Festool CT 36 E AC HEPA extractor and compatible collection setup. The silica plan governs exposure, access and disposal. This standalone operation includes contained bag handling and closeout, with no tool-generated dust. This fictional learning example describes planned controls; it records no actual inspection or work authorization.
- Material history identifies the dust and excludes asbestos, lead, unknown contamination, embers/flammables, liquids and sharp rubble that can damage bags; actual equipment use is accepted for this material.
- The actual US E-model instructions, HEPA filter, permitted bag, hose/accessory arrangement and matching cleaning mode are identified; EI-model or other dust-class instructions are not substituted.
- Masonry-cleanup coverage is partial: indoor settled fine-dust pickup only. Dry sweeping, compressed-air dispersal, tool-connected extraction, slurry treatment, wet pickup and intrusive equipment/filter repair are excluded.
Questions before work
- How will the actual filter, bag and seal arrangement be verified as a complete compatible HEPA cleanup setup?
- Which changes in suction, exhaust or hose condition require stopping instead of continuing across the bay?
- What isolation and containment are required before a filled bag is removed or a blockage is investigated?
Build the analysis one step at a time
What will the worker do? How could someone be harmed? What prevents or reduces that exposure? Who checks the control, and when?
1. Release the known dust and cleanup method
Hazard: Unknown contamination or sharp/hot material can expose workers or damage the collection system.
Control: Cleanup lead reviews material history and the employer’s silica plan for the actual bay. Confirm that the identified extractor and collection method are suitable for known settled masonry fine dust. Exclude unknown residues, liquids, embers, combustible material and bag-piercing rubble. Establish exposure controls and stops; a HEPA label does not authorize every hazardous-material cleanup.
Verification: Lead records the accepted material/method and the required exposure-control arrangements.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Cleanup must not become an uncontrolled disturbance of unassessed material.
2. Inspect the isolated HEPA collection setup
Hazard: An absent/damaged filter, leaking seal or wrong bag can discharge fine dust into the room.
Control: Disconnect power and check the identified E-model unit, manufacturer-compatible HEPA filter, bag, seals, hose and accessories against its actual US instructions. Verify dry, serviceable components and secure fitting without opening a contaminated system unnecessarily. Select the correct mode for the chosen bag/cleaning configuration; remove defects from service and keep connected power tools outside this standalone operation.
Verification: Operator verifies model, compatible collection components and required safe pre-use checks.
Why this belongs in the analysis: Filter rating is useful only when the installed air path remains sealed.
3. Establish the controlled pickup route
Hazard: Hoses, leads and an uncontrolled work boundary can trip workers or spread disturbed dust.
Control: Restrict the indoor bay and coordinate adjacent crews. Provide dry footing, ventilation and assessed personal/respiratory controls. Secure the unit and route protected power/hose clear of traffic and exits. Plan pickup without brushing or blowing piles into the air; retain separate containment for unsuitable sharp debris rather than drawing it into the bag.
Verification: Lead checks the route, unit stability, electrical arrangement and affected-worker separation.
Why this belongs in the analysis: The collection method must protect nearby workers as well as the operator.
4. Collect dust while monitoring control
Hazard: Loss of suction or a leaking hose/filter can leave disturbed dust airborne and expose the crew.
Control: Start standalone pickup under the actual manual, using the permitted nozzle and controlled passes. Keep the collection path effective and watch for reduced suction, leaks, visible dust escape or abnormal operation. Use only the instructed cleaning-mode response for this selected bag/filter arrangement. Stop for failed collection; do not continue because the motor runs or open the container while energized.
Verification: Operator monitors effective pickup and reports abnormal suction, dust escape or equipment behavior.
Why this belongs in the analysis: A running motor does not establish effective filtered collection.
5. Isolate and contain a filled bag or fault
Hazard: Opening a dusty container or clearing a live mechanism can release dust or cause unintended startup.
Control: Stop the extractor, disconnect its electrical supply and verify the safe state before permitted bag access or fault investigation. Use the actual contained bag-closing/removal method with the assessed exposure protection. Keep sealed waste contained and replace only compatible user-serviceable parts. Do not beat, blow out or improvise filter servicing; damaged filters or intrusive repairs go to the authorized service route.
Verification: Named operator checks isolation and bag/waste containment before access and restart.
Why this belongs in the analysis: The captured dust remains an exposure hazard during collection-system closeout.
6. Verify cleanup and secure the equipment
Hazard: Residual fine dust, leaking waste or contaminated equipment can expose the next crew.
Control: Check the bay under the employer’s actual cleanup acceptance method without dry sweeping or compressed air. Secure sealed collected waste for its approved destination, close the unit and clean its exterior under the permitted method. Isolate and store equipment indoors as instructed, identifying defects. Hand over cleaned locations, residual-material holds and disposal records; no unperformed air test or clearance result is invented.
Verification: Lead records actual cleanup findings, secured waste and remaining area/equipment restrictions.
Why this belongs in the analysis: A visibly clear patch does not establish an unmeasured exposure clearance.
What does a useful control look like?
| Needs improvement | More useful for this scenario |
|---|---|
| Any shop vacuum or HEPA-marked filter should do. | Verify the actual compatible extractor, installed HEPA filter, bag, seals and accessories against the manual and employer’s material/exposure plan. |
| Open the running unit and shake out the dusty bag. | Stop and isolate it, close/remove the bag through the permitted contained method and retain exposure controls through waste handling. |
Decisions that change the analysis
Does this duplicate masonry-work cleanup or roof vacuuming?
The masonry example only calls for dust-controlled cleanup. This completes indoor fine-dust HEPA equipment checks and contained isolated bag removal. Roof ballast uses an industrial aggregate hose; slurry filtration treats liquid feed. Neither verifies this fine-dust collection setup or its sealed-bag closeout.
What must the crew record for actual use?
Record the actual work boundary, governing documents, responsible people, acceptance criteria, control findings and unresolved actions. Communicate restrictions and obtain required project authorization; this fictional example records no completed inspection or installed-control acceptance.
Agree when the crew will pause
- Dust identity, actual material suitability, HEPA/bag compatibility or the employer’s cleanup/exposure plan cannot be confirmed.
- Suction/control fails, dust escapes, seals/hoses are damaged, hazardous or sharp material is found, or people enter the disturbed-dust zone.
- Bag handling would begin before isolation/containment, an unapproved filter-cleaning method is proposed or waste cannot remain controlled.
After a pause, correct the condition, reassess the work, and obtain required authorization before restarting. Keep unresolved actions visible.
Download the worked example and free template
No account required. The worked example contains planned controls. The blank template is for your own work; neither includes fabricated inspection results, signatures or approval.
Your editable working copy
Build and download your draft
Start blank or load the learning example. Replace its assumptions with your actual conditions and involve the people doing the work. Your entries stay in this browser tab; download a copy before leaving or refreshing.
1. Describe your work and site
2. Work through each task
Describe an observable step, how someone could be harmed, and the control that acts on that hazard. Identify who checks it and what evidence is needed.
3. Record changes, checks, and open actions
Walk the work area, review with the crew, and resolve missing controls. Follow the required approval process. This tool does not judge completeness, verify signatures or authorize work.
Open the downloaded file in a browser, then use Print → Save as PDF for a printable copy.
Training needs to confirm
- Exact extractor instruction covering HEPA/bag compatibility, approved standalone operation, suction checks, isolation and permitted contained bag removal.
- Employer silica-cleanup/exposure plan, assessed respiratory protection, contamination rejection and controlled dust waste/handover duties.
Confirm applicable qualifications, task instruction and actual training evidence for the people assigned. Related toolbox talks support toolbox talks; they do not establish competence.
Common questions
Can this example be used as a JSA?
Adapt the Task | Hazard | Control sequence to the employer’s JSA and actual worksite. Name control checkers and record findings; this fictional example supplies no completed inspection or authorization.
What changes if the project requires an AHA?
Use the governing AHA format, risk method, records and acceptance process. The published formwork AHA illustrates that structure. Add actual competencies, inspections and reviews; renaming a JHA does not complete them.
Are these resources part of a paid course?
This walkthrough, browser draft builder and downloads are free public resources, separate from Academy course enrollment.
References and source note
- Festool CT 36 E AC HEPA US operating instructions, January 2022
- OSHA 1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica: housekeeping and exposure controls
- OSHA 1926.25 Housekeeping
Original instructional scenario with planned controls. Primary references support hazard planning. Use actual equipment and product instructions, project design and employer requirements to establish field criteria. This example supplies no inspection findings or work authorization. Use actual equipment instructions and site requirements alongside these references. Reference review: October 12, 2026.