Compliance under COSHH is about controlling exposure, not just owning a vacuum. The goal is to keep airborne particulate below Workplace Exposure Limits (e.g., RCS at 0.1 mg/m³, 8-hr TWA) and to prove your controls work in practice.

The essentials contractors must do

• Complete a COSHH assessment for tasks that create dust: identify substances, exposure routes, and who is at risk.
• Specify controls using the hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, engineer (LEV/air scrubbers), then administrative controls and RPE.
• Select equipment by under-load performance, filtration class, and duty cycle.
• Plan maintenance, inspections, and record-keeping.

Choosing the right controls

• Capture at source: tool-mounted extraction, water suppression, slower feed rates, jigs.
• Capture in the air: LEV, air scrubbers, or negative air units sized to the space. For fine or carcinogenic dusts, use H14 final filtration.
• Capture on surfaces: H-Class industrial vacuums only; never sweep or use compressed air.

Room-level support can be provided by negative air machines such as the MAXVAC Dustblocker, used alongside LEV for multi-trade areas.

Documentation, testing and maintenance

• LEV thorough examination and test at least every 14 months; keep reports.
• Daily checks: damage, seals, filters, and pressure/airflow indicators.
• Record filter changes, faults, and corrective actions.
• Use a particulate meter for periodic spot checks to evidence effectiveness.

People: RPE, training and health surveillance

• Provide task-appropriate RPE (e.g., P3/FFP3) with face-fit testing and user checks.
• Train workers on setup, limitations, and maintenance of controls.
• Implement health surveillance where risk justifies it (e.g., silica, wood dusts).

Practical takeaways

• Assess tasks under COSHH and design controls to meet WELs.
• Prioritise source capture; use H14 where respirable hazards exist.
• Test LEV annually and check performance daily.
• Document everything; train and face-fit test your team.

Treat compliance as a process: plan controls, verify them, and keep records. That approach protects people and stands up to inspection.