Set builds and studio fit-outs involve rapid cycles of cutting, sanding and painting around crews and sensitive equipment. Good dust management keeps people safe, protects cameras and lighting, and reduces rework on tight schedules.

Plan the workspace

Zone the stage: establish cutting, sanding and clean assembly areas. Schedule high-dust tasks out of hours where possible and cap the number of simultaneous dusty activities. Protect kit with covers and create clear transit routes.

Capture at source

Fit saws, sanders and drills with shrouds connected to industrial vacuums. Use M-Class for wood and board, and H-Class with H14 filters for MDF and fine dust. Keep hoses short and check airflow under load daily. For some tasks, light misting can suppress dust without damaging finishes when used carefully.

Control in the air

Use air scrubbers or negative air machines to pull dust away from crew and talent. Position intakes near the workface and exhaust towards waste zones, avoiding drafts across set. Aim for directional flow rather than chasing high air change numbers.

Housekeeping that respects the schedule

Prohibit sweeping. Vacuum floors, flats and props regularly, and damp wipe before painting or dressing. Double-bag waste and avoid dragging dusty items through clean areas. Brief all departments on the dust plan at the production meeting.

Verification and PPE

Use a particulate monitor to spot spikes during build phases and adjust sequencing. Provide FFP3 RPE for high-dust tasks and ensure face-fit testing for regular users.

Practical takeaways

• Zone the stage and schedule dusty work away from crew.
• Use tool extraction with M/H-Class filtration; verify airflow under load.
• Apply air scrubbers or negative air to maintain directional flow.
• Vacuum-only clean-down; damp wipe ahead of paint or dress.
• Trend PM readings and use FFP3 RPE for dusty operations.

These measures keep sets cleaner, safer and more efficient, reducing disruption and protecting valuable equipment.