Behaviour determines whether dust controls are actually used. Small, well-placed prompts and easy access to kit shift habits faster than long policies.

Make dust visible

Install simple monitoring at cutting or mixing stations and display a traffic-light indicator where crews can see it. Agree triggers for action: at amber, adjust water and extraction; at red, stop and reset the set-up. This makes monitoring a live cue, not a report no one reads.

Put controls within arm’s reach

Position extraction hoses, pre-filters and vacuums at point-of-use so crews do not walk for them. Keep RPE in clean, labelled bins by task. When controls are easy to grab, compliance rises.

Use signage where choices are made

Place signage at the decision point: on saw tables, by mixing tubs and at doors to dusty zones. Show the correct set-up photo and a two-step reminder: connect extraction, verify airflow under load.

Shape routines and norms

Start-of-task prompts, buddy checks for RPE and a two-minute end-of-task clean with an H-class vacuum make dust control normal. Supervisors must model the behaviour they expect.

Practical takeaways

• Monitoring should be visible and linked to clear actions.
• Keep PPE and extraction at point-of-use to remove friction.
• Signage belongs at decision points, not in offices.
• Ban sweeping and compressed air; vacuum with high-efficiency filtration.
• Reinforce with quick recognition for crews who keep controls in place.

Use monitoring, signage and PPE as behavioural tools, not just equipment. When cues are clear and the kit is close by, dust-aware behaviour becomes the default.