Dust Safety

What is silica?
“Silica is one of the most common naturally occurring elements on the planet. Silica is found in t
What are the symptoms of silicosis?
Early on, there are no noticeable symptoms. As the disease progresses however, the first symptoms su
What is silicosis?
There are three types of silicosis: Chronic silicosis, which usually occurs after 10 or more years
How far can silica dust travel?
“Silica dust less than 10 μm is light enough and has enough surface area to stay airborne long en
How can silica dust be measured?
By an Occupational Hygienist. Melbourne's Eva & Associates have extensive Silica dust expe
What silica monitoring is required for workers and how do I go about it?
“Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulation 50 states air monitoring by an occupational hygienist mus
How big is the silica dust issue in Australia?
It’s estimated that 600,000 Australians are exposed to silica dust in the workplace each year and
What is the warranty for sanders and dust extractors?
Festool offer 3 years warranty for all sanders and dust extractor (the tools must be registered) exc
Can a Festool hose fit other brand dust extractors?
Festool hoses will fit other manufacturer's vacs that have a 57mm (2-1/4") I.D. hose port.
Does silica dust leave the lungs?
“The only way to get the retained dust out of the lungs is either to pass it on to other cells or
Can silica dust cause cancer?
Yes.
How much silica dust is harmful?  
It usually takes many years of silica exposure to develop silicosis, but “extremely high exposures
Where does silica dust come from?
It’s the dust generated from materials that contain crystalline silica such as stone, rock, sand,
What other adapters does Festool have for hoses to attach non-Festool tools?
Festool does not manufacture or stock hose adapters for other brand tools. To see the full range of
Can I use a dust separator in addition to Auto Clean on my dust extractor?
You will always need to use an Autoclean Dust Extractor when you are working on plaster or concrete
What are the silica dust regulations or rules?
They vary State by State. Best place to start is Safe Work Australia. This information is very impo
Who is exposed to silica dust?
Anyone working in a trade that does the following: Breaking, crushing, grinding or milling material
Can somebody come out to me and show me your range?
Yes! Book a tool demo and leave the rest with us! 
Can I get fined for inadequate safety procedures when handling of silica dust?
If you don’t meet your state’s regulations when working with high-risk materials, yes you can ge
Can you see silica dust?
No. Silica dust is almost impossible to see with teh human eye as the particles are 100 times smalle
Can I use dust extraction when cutting aluminium with my KS120/88/60 or TS 55/60/75?
Yes. Dust extraction can be used when cutting aluminium. 
What health monitoring is required for workers potentially exposed to silica?
“WHS Regulations state that health monitoring must be provided to workers who are continually work
Why is the warning signal on my M Class Dust Extractor beeping?
The M Class Dust Extractors have a mandatory warning signal (beeper) installed. The beeper is to al
Why is silica dust dangerous?
Materials that contain crystalline silica are not hazardous unless they are disturbed, generating sm
Can the cordless CTMC SYS or CTMC MIDI be used to cut small amount of concrete?
The best dust extractors for concrete are the Auto Clean Dust Extractors .Currently, Festool does no
Can you use a Festool Dust extractor on a Fein multi tool ?
Yes. A Festool dust extractor can be connected to a Fein Multitool. 
Can I reuse a Replacement Self Cleaning filter bag?
The self clean filter bags are designed to capture the dust and for the bag to be sealed off with t
Can I use the handle for CT 26 (495802) and the cable wrap at the same time?
No, wrapping the cable on the handle for CT 26 would interfere with the storage of dust extraction
Can I use a longer hose with a CT-VA cyclone?
If the longer hose is used in conjunction with a 150mm sander it won’t affect the result, but if i
Dust is escaping from the grey long life bag in my Dust Extractor and reaching the filter, why is this happening and what can be done?
The inlet seal on the bag (which is user replaceable see EKAT drawings) could be worn and not sealin
When would Festool recommend using the Anti Static Smooth Hose D36mm x 3-5m with RFID (204924) instead of the Anti Static Smooth Hose D36 32mm x 3-5m with RFID (204923)
The 204924 (36mm) hose is best for general clean-up when using floor wands/ nozzles, to help minimi
Are there any risks with dust extraction of aluminium in bags or vacuum? ie for CSC 50/ KS/TS tools
When extracting aluminuim chips this can be done with a standard Dust Extractor. When sanding alumin
Can I convert my L Class Dust Extractor to M Class?
No, the M Class Dust Extractor emits an audible alarm when the airflow is reduced and this is not a
Can I fit a dust bag to my old TS 55 or new TS 60?
Yes, the Dust Catch Bag for TSC 55 & HKC 55 (part number 500393) is compatible with all TS 55/6
Is using the Dust Catch Bag on my TS 55 or HKC as efficient as using them with dust extration?
A Dust Catch Bag is efficient to 90%, compared with 95% for Dust Extraction (using an attached Dust
Can I use the Cyclone Separator for fine dust and wood shavings?
Yes you can, the separator has a cyclone cone inside to create air force that makes the larger parti
Can I use my CTM MIDI with a CT - VA Cyclone Pre Separator?
Yes you can use the CTM Midi with the VA Cyclone Pre Separator , it will fit on the top of the machi
What class dust extractor do I use for concrete and fibre cement?
Festool dust extractors are Number 1 for hazardous dust. For concrete and fibre cement the M class e
My older Festool tool has an oval dust port, and a round ridged dust port. I cant see how the new vacuum hoses with locking tabs work.
The 27mm anti-static hoses will connect to both the oval and ridged dust ports, there is no adapter
Can the AGC 125 be used as a wet cutter to reduce dust?
No this isn’t an option. The AGC 125mm Cordless Angle Grinder is designed to minimise dust by usi
How do I fit the Dust Catch Bag (500393) to my TS 55 or HKC?
Remove the angle piece from the dust port on your TS 55 or HKC 55 and fit the Dust Bag over the o
Can I use the CT 15L (577414) with my Kapex Saw?
You can use the CT 15 however we do recommend you buy an antistatic hose with D36 connector to all
Is it possible to change the filter of a CTM midi to a Hepa filter
Yes, it is possible, you can purchase the 204201 Main filter however the M Class filter part no. 20
Can I use my Cyclone Pre Separator without a lining bag?
Yes, you can use the pre separator tub to collect material, the plastic liner just makes it easier