Tiling and floor prep generate heavy debris and fine respirable dust, particularly when cutting tiles, chasing, grinding adhesives, or scabbling screed. With simple planning and the three-layer control model, you can cut exposures, keep neighbours happy, and finish faster.

Plan the method

• Prefer wet cutting outdoors. Indoors, use score-and-snap where feasible to avoid powered cutting.
• Set up dust barriers and protect adjacent areas; establish a single waste route.
• Choose adhesives and levellers with lower mechanical removal requirements where specification allows.

Capture at source

Fit grinders, scarifiers, and chasers with proper shrouds and connect to an industrial vacuum suitable for fine dusts. For silica-bearing substrates, specify H-class with a HEPA H14 final filter. Keep hose runs short, check seals, and start extraction before contact. Water suppression on floor grinders can significantly reduce plume generation; use just enough to prevent misting.

Maintain airflow under load

• Use auto filter-cleaning to sustain capture on long grinding runs.
• Empty regularly; a half-full tank can drop airflow and raise exposure.
• Antistatic hoses reduce cling and blockages.

Control airborne dust

Run an air scrubber sized to the room volume during grinding and clean-up. Create slight negative pressure to stop dust migrating to stairwells and lifts. A compact MAXVAC air scrubber can operate continuously to reduce background particulate between phases.

Housekeeping and waste

• Never sweep. Vacuum debris and fine dust first; then damp wipe skirtings and fixtures.
• Bag waste at source and seal; use sticky mats at exits to prevent tracking.
• Clean tools and PPE before leaving the zone; store consumables in sealed tubs.

PPE and verification

Use FFP3 RPE where residual risk remains and ensure face-fit. A handheld PM meter helps confirm that controls are working and alerts you to blocked filters or poor seals.

Practical takeaways

• Wet cut outdoors where possible; use score-and-snap indoors when acceptable.
• On-tool extraction with H-class and H14 filtration; keep hoses short and sealed.
• Run H14 air scrubbers and maintain slight negative pressure.
• Vacuum-first housekeeping; seal waste and use sticky mats.
• Check PM levels and maintain equipment to keep capture steady.

Applying these steps consistently delivers cleaner, safer floor prep and tiling with fewer callbacks.