Dust cleaning on site is about protecting people first, keeping work moving, and staying on the right side of COSHH. Fine particles such as respirable crystalline silica (RCS) can remain airborne for hours; the HSE’s WEL for RCS is 0.1 mg/m³, which is easy to exceed if cleaning is done poorly.

Plan to remove dust, not move it around

1) Capture at source

Fit tool-mounted extraction to saws, grinders and sanders, and use water suppression where suitable. Reduce cutting speeds and plan cuts outdoors if possible. Choose extraction based on airflow under load and the correct dust class for the material.

2) Capture in the air

Use air scrubbers or negative air machines to manage airborne particulate during dusty phases. Position units to draw air past the workface and towards discharge, avoiding short-circuits. Check filter class; use HEPA H14 where fine or carcinogenic dusts are present. Equipment such as the MAXVAC Dustblocker range is commonly deployed to maintain background air filtration on refurb and fit-out jobs.

3) Capture on surfaces

Avoid dry sweeping and compressed air. Use industrial vacuums with M-Class as a minimum for silica and wood dust, and H-Class for higher hazard dusts. Damp-wipe remaining residues using disposable cloths. Bag waste at source and seal before moving.

Set up zones and routines

Divide the area into “dirty”, “transition”, and “clean” zones. Keep doors closed and use sticky mats at exits. Clean top-down and far-to-near, so you don’t re-contaminate finished areas. Assign responsibility and frequency for high-traffic zones.

Choose and maintain the right kit

Look for auto filter-clean, antistatic hoses, and sealed bagging. Check airflow under load weekly; falling performance usually means filter loading or leaks. Maintain gaskets and seals, and never run without bags or primary filters.

Verification

Use simple visual checks, white-glove tests on ledges, and where risk is higher, a particulate monitor to spot spikes. If readings rise during cleaning, pause and adjust the method or increase air changes.

Practical takeaways

• Plan by task: source capture first, air control second, housekeeping last.
• Prohibit brooms and compressed air for fine dusts; vacuum and damp-wipe instead.
• Select M-Class for silica and wood; H-Class and H14 where risk demands.
• Measure performance under load, not free-air figures; service filters regularly.
• Zone the site and clean top-down, far-to-near; double-bag and seal waste.

Good dust cleaning is a routine, not a rescue mission. Build these steps into your method statements and toolbox talks so clean, safe working becomes the default.