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How to Safely Cut Porcelain Tiles – Cutting, Tools & Silica Dust
Porcelain tiles are extremely hard and durable, but cutting them correctly is important for both a clean finish and your safety.
Silica Dust and Porcelain Tile Cutting Safety
- porcelain tile silica dust
- silica dust from cutting tiles
- porcelain tile safety
- drilling and cutting porcelain tiles
- What Is the Best Way to Cut Porcelain Tiles?
Straight Cuts
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Wet Cutting
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Angle Grinders
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- What PPE Should You Wear When Cutting Porcelain Tiles?
Straight Cuts
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Wet Cutting
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Angle Grinders
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SEALING REQUIREMENTS BY STONE TYPE
How to Safely Cut Porcelain Tiles – Cutting, Tools & Silica Dust
Porcelain tiles are extremely hard and durable, but cutting them correctly is important for both a clean finish and your safety.
The Most Important Thing - Control Silica Dust
Porcelain tiles can contain crystalline silica. Cutting, grinding or drilling porcelain tiles can create very fine respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust, which can be harmful if inhaled.
SafeWork NSW advises that the health hazard occurs when very fine crystalline silica particles become airborne and are inhaled. Activities such as cutting, sanding and drilling silica-containing materials can generate this fine dust.
- Avoid uncontrolled dry cutting of porcelain tiles.
- Where practical, use cutting methods that control dust at the source.
Safer Ways to Cut Porcelain Tiles
Straight Cuts
A quality manual tile cutter is often suitable for straight cuts and produces virtually no airborne cutting dust. For tiles that are difficult to score and snap, or where a particularly clean cut is required, a wet tile saw with a suitable diamond blade can be used.
Wet Cutting
Wet cutting uses water at the blade to substantially reduce airborne dust while cutting. Always follow the tile saw and blade manufacturer's instructions and make sure electrical equipment is suitable for wet-cutting applications.
Angle Grinders
Angle grinders are useful for certain cuts, but dry grinding or cutting can generate significant amounts of fine silica dust. Where an angle grinder or other powered cutting tool is required, appropriate water suppression or on-tool dust extraction designed for silica dust should be used in accordance with applicable safety requirements and the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
Personal Protective Equipment
Depending on the cutting method and the work being performed, appropriate PPE may include:
Safety glasses or suitable eye/face protection
Hearing protection
Suitable gloves when handling sharp-cut tiles
Appropriate respiratory protection where required
Respiratory protection should not be used as a substitute for controlling silica dust at its source.
Cleaning Up
Do not create more airborne dust when cleaning up. Avoid dry sweeping or using compressed air on porcelain cutting dust. Use appropriate dust extraction or wet-cleaning methods instead.
Think About Dust When Choosing Your Tile Adhesive Too
Cutting porcelain isn’t the only stage of a tiling job where dust should be considered.
Powdered tile adhesives can also create airborne dust when a bag is opened, poured and mixed.
That’s one of the reasons Bargain Factory Tile Outlet recommends SikaTile™-410 Secure Set.
According to Sika Australia, SikaTile™-410 Secure Set is a premium sand- and silica-free white tile and stone adhesive that contains no respirable crystalline silica.
It also incorporates Sika’s patented DUST LESS® Technology, which Sika states reduces airborne dust during mixing by up to 80%.
That doesn’t mean normal safety precautions can be ignored. Always follow the current Sika Product Data Sheet and Safety Data Sheet and use the appropriate PPE and safe handling procedures.
But where we can recommend a high-performance tile adhesive that also eliminates respirable crystalline silica from the adhesive formulation and substantially reduces airborne dust during mixing, we believe that’s worth considering.
And Secure Set isn’t just about its silica-free formulation. It is classified C2TES1 to AS ISO 13007 and is suitable for applications including large-format porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, natural stone, glass mosaics, wet areas, pools and spas.
- It's one more way of thinking about dust reduction across the whole tiling job - not just when the tiles are being cut.
Cutting Large Porcelain Tiles
Large-format porcelain tiles can be heavy and more difficult to handle. Support the tile properly during cutting and consider having a second person assist when handling particularly large pieces. Specialist large-format tile cutters and appropriate diamond cutting equipment may be required.
Not Sure? Ask Before You Cut
Different porcelain tiles, thicknesses and finishes can require different cutting equipment. If you're unsure about the best way to cut a tile you've purchased from Bargain Factory Tile Outlet, ask our team before getting started. We can help point you towards the appropriate cutting method and equipment for the tile.
Safety Note: This information is general guidance only. Always follow current SafeWork NSW requirements, applicable workplace health and safety regulations, and the instructions supplied by your tile, adhesive, tool, blade and safety-equipment manufacturers.
DUST MATTERS
FOR YOUR HEALTH
Control silica dust at the source, use the right equipment and PPE, and keep your workspace safe.
RECOMMENDED ADHESIVE
SIKATILE®-410 SECURE SET
- Sand- and silica-free formulation
- No respirable crystalline silica
- DUST LESS@ Technology - up to 80% less dust when mixing®
- C2TES1 high performance
- For large-format tiles, natural stone, glass mosaics, wet areas, pools & spas
