Areas beside cold rooms are tricky: warm, moist air meets cold boundaries, causing condensation, slurries, and sudden re-aerosolisation when surfaces dry. Without a plan, dust tracks through doors and settles on products and electrics. Control the temperature and pressure transitions and the dust follows.

Stabilise the transition zone

Create a buffer corridor with controlled RH and temperature. Fit door discipline (auto-close, air curtains) and seal penetrations so air moves from clean to cold, not the reverse. Avoid wet cutting; pair slower tool speeds with on-tool extraction to limit fine aerosol near thresholds.

Airborne control and pressure

Use air scrubbers to keep particulate low and run a slight negative pressure in the work area so dust does not drift into welfare or food-safe zones. Equipment such as MAXVAC Dustblockers can be used as part of an airborne control strategy when sized correctly and maintained to the appropriate filter class.

Housekeeping in variable temperatures

Do not sweep; vacuum with M or H Class filtration. Expect faster filter loading where air is moist, and stage pre-filters to protect HEPA elements. Remove damp residues before defrost cycles; otherwise they dry into fine dust that becomes airborne as traffic resumes.

Monitor, adjust, verify

Track RH, temperature, and door open-time. Check airflow under load on extraction devices and review PM readings during busy periods. Where RCS or allergenic dusts are present, follow COSHH principles and HSE WELs, and document your control checks.

• Create a controlled buffer zone with disciplined door management
• Use on-tool extraction; avoid adding moisture near cold thresholds
• Run air scrubbers and maintain slight negative pressure
• Vacuum only; bag damp waste before defrost phases
• Measure RH, temperature, and PM to prove control

By treating the doorway as a small environmental project—temperature, humidity, and pressure—you prevent dust drift, keep filters effective, and protect adjacent operations.