Construction in live education settings demands tight dust control to protect pupils, staff, and sensitive equipment. Poor dust management harms indoor air quality and disrupts learning. The goal is simple: stop dust at source, contain what escapes, and remove what settles without re‑agitating it.

Plan, zone, and pressure-manage

Survey airflow paths before work starts. Map entrances, corridors, returns and plant intakes so you can isolate the work area with physical barriers and antechambers. Aim for negative pressure inside the work zone to stop dust migrating into classrooms. Where external venting is not possible, use recirculating air scrubbers and increase housekeeping frequency. Schedule higher-risk tasks out of hours and coordinate with site managers to avoid class changeovers.

Capture at source first

Fit tool-mounted extraction to saws, chasers and sanders. Use water suppression for masonry cutting where the substrate allows, and choose slower cutting speeds to reduce particle release. Select LEV vacuums matched to the task and dust class; use H-Class filtration for fine or hazardous dusts, and ensure airflow under load is sufficient for the tool and hose length.

Control airborne dust

Position air scrubbers to draw air from clean areas through the work zone towards the unit, then discharge outside or through a safe return. Avoid quoting free-air figures; assess performance with filters installed and partially loaded. Duct to create directional flow and prevent short-circuiting. For occupied buildings, keep noise down and check that return air does not disturb adjacent teaching spaces.

Housekeeping without re‑agitation

Prohibit sweeping and compressed air. Use industrial vacuums with high-efficiency filtration for routine clean-downs, followed by damp microfibre wiping on hard surfaces. Bag waste at source and double-bag dusty materials before moving them along public routes. Maintain clean routes and tack mats at exits.

Monitor and communicate

Use a particulate monitor to verify controls, watching PM2.5 and PM10 trends during cutting, chasing and clean-ups. For silica work, remember the HSE WEL for RCS is 0.1 mg/m³; use this as a planning reference alongside COSHH assessments. Share daily updates with facilities and adjust barriers or airflow if readings creep.

Practical takeaways

• Keep work zones under negative pressure and use antechambers at doors.
• Fit tool extraction and use water suppression where appropriate.
• Place air scrubbers for directional flow; size by room volume and leakage, not free-air figures.
• Vacuum, don’t sweep; use damp wiping to finish.
• Track PM levels and adjust controls the same shift, not next week.

With deliberate zoning, source extraction, air filtration and disciplined cleaning, you can keep learning spaces safe and works on programme without spreading dust through the estate.