Non-routine tasks—call-outs, shutdowns, emergency repairs—often create short, intense dust exposures that standard controls do not anticipate. Monitoring gives you early warning so you can adjust methods before exposure builds.

Plan what to measure and why

Define the dusty steps, duration, people involved, and the likely particles (e.g., RCS from cutting, PM2.5 from sweeping). Take a quick baseline reading before starting so any rise is obvious. Keep the focus tight: measure what will inform decisions on controls.

Baseline and triggers

Set action thresholds before work begins. For silica tasks, plan to stop and improve controls well before the RCS WEL of 0.1 mg/m³ is approached. Document who can pause work and what corrective steps will be taken.

Deploying monitors

Use personal air monitors to capture what workers actually breathe; supplement with an area unit near the source to understand drift. Position sensors at breathing height, avoid obstructions, and log time-stamped readings. Calibrate as recommended and record any events that may affect data (doors opened, fans added).

Interpreting data and acting

Look for peaks as well as averages—short spikes often reveal poor technique or a failing control. If readings climb, improve capture at source, increase air changes with an air scrubber or negative air machine, or switch to a lower-disturbance method. Housekeeping should rely on industrial vacuuming, not sweeping, to prevent re-suspension.

• Plan monitoring around the task steps, not the whole day
• Use personal units for exposure; use an area unit for drift
• Set clear thresholds and authority to pause work
• React to peaks with better capture, ventilation, or method change
• Log readings and actions to meet COSHH expectations

Monitoring is only useful if it prompts timely action. Keep it simple, make the triggers clear, and let the data guide immediate control improvements during non-routine work.