Temporary and pop-up sites demand fast, effective dust control with minimal infrastructure. Power, access and time are limited, so focus on kit that deploys quickly, controls dust at source and is easy to maintain.

Plan the zone in minutes

Pick a work area with a single controllable entry. Use Dustbarrier and polythene sheeting to create a sealed enclosure and a small lobby. Aim for slight negative pressure to draw air into the zone. If you cannot duct outside, recirculate through Dustblockers and increase clean-down frequency.

Prioritise capture at source

Use tools with integrated extraction or shrouds connected to suitable LEV vacuums. Keep hoses short and straight, and select attachments that match the tool port. Where masonry cutting is essential, consider water suppression if the substrate and environment allow.

Air control with portable units

Choose compact air scrubbers or negative air machines sized to the enclosure volume. Place them to pull air towards the unit and prevent short-circuiting. Always consider airflow under load with filters installed, and carry spare prefilters to maintain performance as dust loads build.

Housekeeping and waste on the move

Ban sweeping and compressed air. Use industrial vacuums with high-efficiency filtration for clean-downs, then damp microfibre wiping. Bag waste at source, seal it, and move along pre-planned routes. Keep a simple daily check of filter condition, gaskets and seals.

Verification and handover

Use a handheld particulate monitor to spot-check PM2.5/PM10 outside the zone. For silica tasks, plan controls to meet the HSE WEL for RCS of 0.1 mg/m³ and record your COSHH assessment. On demobilisation, run a final clean, remove barriers carefully, and re-measure to confirm air quality before handing back.

Practical takeaways

• Rapid enclosures with a lobby and slight negative pressure.
• LEV on every dusty tool; keep hoses short and filters maintained.
• Portable air scrubbers placed for directional flow; spare prefilters ready.
• Vacuum and damp-wipe; bag waste at source and protect routes.
• Spot-check PM and adjust controls the same shift; document silica controls.

With quick zoning, source extraction and portable air control, pop-up sites can achieve professional dust management without heavy infrastructure.