Kitchen and bathroom installs pack a lot of dust-generating tasks into tight, often occupied spaces. Cutting worktops, trimming units, drilling tiles, chasing for services, and sanding fillers all release airborne particulate, including respirable crystalline silica from tiles and grout. A simple plan that prioritises source capture, air control, and disciplined housekeeping will reduce exposure and callbacks.

Plan dust control before you cut

Walk the job: identify dusty tasks, note room volume and exit points, and agree resident protection and access. Pre-cut components off-site where practical, and choose lower-dust methods (oscillating saws with fine teeth rather than dry angle grinding indoors). Stage materials to avoid repeated trips through clean areas.

Capture at source

• Fit tool shrouds and connect to an appropriate industrial vacuum; keep hose runs short and check seals.
• Use water suppression for tile cutting and drilling where suitable, controlling slurry to prevent spread.
• Drill at the lowest effective speed and use core-catcher or gel rings to limit breakout dust.
• Score-and-snap or wet-saw tiles rather than dry cutting in-room.

Control airborne dust in small rooms

Seal doorways with temporary sheeting and maintain a single access point. Duct air outside where possible to create slight negative pressure; avoid exhausting into communal areas. Place make-up air behind the operative to draw dust away from breathing zones. On small refurbishments, equipment such as the MAXVAC DB650, MAXVAC IMS, and Dura Vacuums can be combined to support on-tool capture, room air control, and clean-up.

Housekeeping that prevents re-dust

• Avoid sweeping and compressed air. Vacuum surfaces, cavities, and floor edges frequently.
• Use industrial vacuums with high-efficiency filtration; maintain filters and bags to preserve airflow under load.
• Bag waste at source and seal before carrying through clean areas.
• De-dust clothing with a vacuum nozzle before leaving the work zone.

Practical takeaways

• Pre-cut off-site and select lower-dust methods.
• Use shrouded tools with extraction and water where appropriate.
• Set up simple containment and directional airflow.
• Clean as you go with a vacuum; never sweep.
• Monitor visually and with a particulate meter if available; adjust setup immediately.

These measures fit typical domestic installs, reduce complaints, and support compliance with HSE expectations, including the 0.1 mg/m³ WEL for respirable crystalline silica under EH40.