Personal dust monitors help you see exposure as it happens so you can adjust controls before limits are exceeded. Used well, they turn COSHH paperwork into practical action.

Decide what you need to measure

• Particle size fractions: confirm whether PM10, PM4 (respirable), PM2.5 or PM1 is relevant to your tasks. For RCS risk, focus on respirable dust.
• Reading type: optical direct-reading units give trends and alarms; gravimetric samplers support compliance assessments and lab analysis.
• Range and resolution: choose instruments that can resolve low concentrations typical of controlled tasks while handling higher peaks during setup.

Choose features that survive site work

• Alarms and logging: audible/vibration alarms and time-stamped data support real-time adjustments and later review.
• Battery and charging: plan for a full shift with margin; check charge indicators are obvious.
• Robustness: IP rating, shock resistance and simple buttons matter with gloves and weather.
• Breathing zone placement: clips or harnesses should hold the inlet near the collarbone without kinking tubing.

Use data to drive controls

• Baseline before works, then re-check with extraction running. If levels drop, you have evidence the control works.
• Correlate peaks with tasks to refine on-tool capture, air scrubber placement, or housekeeping cadence.
• Share simple graphs in toolbox talks to reinforce good practice.

Good practice and limits

Monitors do not replace exposure assessment, but they help you stay under HSE EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits (for example, RCS 0.1 mg/m³ 8h TWA). Pair personal monitoring with engineering controls—on-tool LEV, H14 filtration for fine dusts, and, where needed, an air scrubber. A portable particulate monitor can also verify the effect of units such as MAXVAC air scrubbers when repositioned.

Practical takeaways

• Match monitor type to particle size and purpose (trend vs compliance).
• Prioritise alarms, logging, robustness and shift-long battery life.
• Place in the breathing zone and analyse peaks to improve controls.
• Use results to optimise extraction before relying on RPE.

Keep it simple: measure, adjust, and record. That cycle builds safer habits and cleaner air.