Cement powder and aggregate handling release fine particulate, including respirable crystalline silica from sands and stone. Without control, exposure can exceed limits, contaminate product, and cause equipment wear. A practical plan focuses on containment, capture, and clean-up.

Contain and capture at source

Enclose transfer points and fit skirting to conveyors to prevent wind-off. Apply misting at aggregate drops where appropriate, and keep drop heights low. Ensure silo fill lines seal correctly, with functioning vent filters and overfill protection to prevent blowback. Use LEV at weigh hoppers, bag splits, and mixer charging points, keeping hoods close and minimising cross-draughts.

Control the air around processes

In batching halls, use LEV or air cleaners to maintain directional airflow away from operators. High-efficiency filtration is important for respirable dust; H14 is advisable. Verify airflow under load and track PM levels during peak loading and discharge. Keep control rooms slightly positive to protect instrumentation, and maintain negative pressure near dusty transfer points.

Housekeeping and yard control

Replace sweeping with industrial vacuuming and wet methods where safe. Clean spillage promptly, including under conveyors and around bag stations. Provide wheel washes and hard standings to reduce tracking onto site roads, and maintain road-cleaning with vacuum sweepers rather than dry brushes.

Maintenance and compliance

Monitor filter differential pressure and change elements before performance collapses. Inspect ductwork for leaks and damage, and check seals on access doors. Train drivers and plant teams on correct silo connection procedures. Under HSE EH40, the WEL for RCS is 0.1 mg/m³; general dust WELs are 10 mg/m³ (inhalable) and 4 mg/m³ (respirable). Provide suitable RPE when residual dust persists and manage skin contact with cement to prevent dermatitis.

Practical takeaways

• Enclose and extract at transfer points; seal silo fills and vents.
• Use H14 filtration for respirable dusts; confirm airflow under load.
• Keep dusty areas negative and control rooms protected.
• Adopt vacuum and wet clean-up; stop dust tracking on roads.
• Service filters early and train teams on correct connection and discharge.

By prioritising source control, measured airflow, and disciplined housekeeping, batch plants can reduce exposure, protect equipment, and keep production reliable.