Most dust incidents are preventable with competent setup, disciplined housekeeping and confident workers. Structured training turns rules into routine. Dust Arrest DustDays are on-site sessions that blend short theory with hands-on practice so teams leave able to control silica, wood dust and other airborne particulate.

Design a practical session

Start with the why: health effects, typical WELs, and the fact that RCS at 0.1 mg/m³ is invisible. Keep this brief, then move to the kit. Demonstrate correct tool-mounted extraction, water suppression, and how to achieve negative pressure in small rooms.

Hands-on exercises

• Set up an extractor and air scrubber, confirm airflow under load, and check for leaks around cuffs and seals.
• Use a particulate monitor to show real-time PM spikes during cutting, then repeat with controls engaged to reinforce good practice.
• Practice RPE checks: face fit status, user seal checks, filters in date and stored clean.
• Housekeeping drill: vacuum-only clean-up with H-Class filtration; no sweeping or compressed air.

Close with a short scenario: plan a control setup for a dusty task using the three-layer framework. Capture at source, control in the air, and clean surfaces. Equipment such as MAXVAC extraction and air filtration units can be used to demonstrate consistent setup and maintenance steps without focusing on brand.

Make it stick

Issue a one-page method for common tasks, assign roles, and set trigger levels for stopping work if visible dust appears. Refresh with 10-minute toolbox talks monthly, and rotate workers to lead sections so the knowledge embeds across the team.

• Keep theory tight; prioritise demonstrations and drills.
• Measure before and after with a PM meter to show impact.
• Document methods, roles and stop-work triggers.
• Refresh little and often with toolbox talks.

Short, practical training builds confidence and cuts exposure the same day.