Break rooms, offices, and meeting spaces inside factories should offer clean air that lets people recover from exposure. A well-designed safe haven reduces complaints, supports wellbeing, and demonstrates control under COSHH.

Choose the location and flow

Site safe havens away from busy doors and process lines. Map footfall and orient the room so entry flows from clean to dirty, not the other way. If space allows, add a small anteroom to act as a buffer.

Build a clean interface

Install self-closing doors and ensure they seal properly. Provide coat hooks, lockers, and a place to change or wipe footwear. Sticky mats or ribbed entrance matting capture tracked dust. Keep a bin for disposable wipes and a caddy for clean cloths to stop cross-contamination.

Airflow and filtration

Run the haven slightly positive to surrounding areas. Use an air scrubber or recirculating HEPA unit to constantly polish the room; office air purifiers, including suitable MAXVAC units, can maintain low particle counts without ductwork. Position units so air sweeps across the space rather than short-circuiting at the ceiling. Check airflow under load and plan filter changes by hours and pressure rise, not just calendar time.

Housekeeping routine

Vacuum floors and ledges with M/H-Class machines; avoid sweeping. Wipe horizontal surfaces daily and after known dusty events. Keep doors closed during cleaning so the room stays positive.

Prove performance

Use a handheld particulate monitor periodically to confirm PM2.5/PM10 improvements and adjust placement or maintenance. Note readings and actions in a simple log; this helps demonstrate control to auditors and reassures staff.

Practical takeaways

• Locate havens away from high-traffic doors and process lines.
• Create a buffer with an anteroom, mats, and storage for clean gear.
• Maintain slight positive pressure and continuous HEPA filtration.
• Set a no-sweep cleaning standard with M/H-Class vacuums.
• Verify with periodic PM monitoring and a basic action log.

With positive pressure, continuous filtration, and disciplined housekeeping, safe havens provide real respite and visible control of airborne particulate.