Working in live environments demands tight control of dust migration and noise. Complaints usually follow visible dust, odour, or settled debris outside the work zone. A practical, layered approach protects occupants and your schedule.

Build effective containment

• Seal the work area with rigid or poly barriers, tape edges, and create an anteroom.
• Run an air scrubber in negative air mode to encourage flow into, not out of, the work zone.
• Prove the set-up: a simple tissue test at door gaps or a bit of smoke shows airflow direction.

Reduce generation at source

• Switch to lower-dust methods: score-and-snap, pre-cutting offsite, or wet suppression.
• Fit tool-mounted extraction with the correct shrouds; check airflow under load.
• Plan noisy and dusty tasks for low-occupancy periods.

Control airborne particulate

• Keep H13/H14 filtration on air scrubbers when managing fine respirable dusts.
• Avoid short-circuiting: leave space around intakes and returns; position to sweep the work zone.
• Maintain prefilters to prevent drop-off from loading.

Housekeeping that prevents re-suspension

• No sweeping or compressed air. Use industrial vacuums (M-Class minimum for silica and wood dust) and damp wiping.
• Use sticky mats and sealed bins; schedule waste moves when corridors are quiet.
• Clean routes and touchpoints (lifts, handles) each shift.

Keep occupants informed

• Share a simple plan: what is being done, when, and how dust is contained.
• Provide a single contact and rapid response window for concerns.
• Log and close issues with photos and short notes.

Verify and adjust

• Take quick PM readings at the boundary before, during, and after dusty tasks.
• Review complaints alongside readings to spot patterns and adjust controls.

Consistent containment, source control, and tidy workflows prevent most issues. When you also communicate clearly and verify conditions, complaints drop and client confidence rises.