Schools, hospitals and civic buildings rarely close for maintenance. Dust control must protect occupants, keep services running and demonstrate compliance. The simplest path is to plan the work zone, capture at source, control the air and clean without re-suspending dust.

Plan the work zone

Survey routes, fire doors and vents. Build a contained work area with polythene sheeting and framed doorways. Post clear signage and agree quiet hours. Brief all trades on the route for materials and waste so corridors stay clean.

Capture at source

Use on-tool extraction for drilling, chasing and sanding. Where suitable, apply water suppression to control masonry dust. Slow cutting speeds if dust plumes appear, and choose low-dust methods for chasing and fixings.

Control the air in and around the zone

Hold the work area under slight negative pressure so dust stays inside, using air scrubbers or a negative air machine exhausting to a safe location. Run high-efficiency filtration (H13/H14) and verify airflow under load. In occupied spaces like receptions or clinics, a portable unit such as the MAXVAC Medi 10 can support background air cleaning during short tasks.

Clean without spreading dust

Prohibit sweeping and compressed air. Use industrial vacuums matched to the dust class, change bags before they are full, and seal waste immediately. Wipe touch points and skirtings at the end of each shift so the boundary stays effective.

Monitoring and assurance

Spot-check airborne particulate at the boundary; look for trends rather than single numbers. For silica risk (e.g., concrete drilling), remember the UK WEL for respirable crystalline silica is 0.1 mg/m³ (8-hr TWA). Keep simple records of checks, filter changes and any incidents.

Practical takeaways

• Build a proper containment with a single controlled doorway.
• Use on-tool extraction and wet methods where suitable.
• Maintain negative pressure with H13/H14 filtration.
• Vacuum-only housekeeping; seal and remove waste promptly.
• Record checks to demonstrate control and support COSHH.

These steps keep public spaces clean, protect vulnerable occupants and provide a clear audit trail during maintenance or refurbishment.