Dust and overspray compromise finishes, create rework, and risk respiratory exposure. Effective control combines clean preparation, extraction at dusty tasks, and stable airflow. A simple plan keeps work compliant and improves throughput.

Prepare the space

Seal gaps, cover surfaces, and use sticky mats at entries. Establish a clean zone for coating and a dirty zone for sanding and mixing. Keep doors closed to preserve pressure balance and prevent draughts carrying dust onto wet work.

Capture at source

Attach tool-mounted extraction to sanders and use low-dust abrasives where practical. Mix paints, pigments, and fillers under extraction, with lids on containers when not in use. Control mixing speed to reduce aerosol formation and decant slowly. For prep on delicate substrates, consider wet sanding to suppress dust.

Control the air

Maintain consistent airflow from clean to dirty areas. Use air cleaners or negative air machines with high-efficiency filtration; H14 is advisable for fine aerosols and PM2.5. Position units to avoid turbulent recirculation across wet surfaces. Verify performance by checking airflow under load and spot-checking PM levels with a simple air quality meter. Equipment such as MAXVAC Dustblockers can provide continuous air cleaning in prep rooms or temporary spray areas.

Housekeeping that protects finishes

Ban sweeping and compressed air. Vacuum floors and masking with an H-Class industrial vacuum, then tack-cloth immediately before coating. Change prefilters routinely to keep suction stable and reduce filter loading. Allow adequate curing time before removing sheeting to avoid dislodging settled dust.

PPE and COSHH essentials

Undertake a COSHH assessment for paints and hardeners. Provide tight-fitting RPE where required and ensure face-fit testing. Keep gloves and eye protection available, and store absorbent materials for spills.

Practical takeaways

• Separate clean and dirty zones; control doors and draughts.
• Use extraction on sanders and mix under local capture.
• Apply H14 air cleaning and check airflow under load.
• Vacuum, don’t sweep; change prefilters before suction drops.
• Confirm PM levels with a simple meter to validate controls.

With good preparation, source capture, and measured airflow, spray environments stay clean, compliant, and productive—reducing rework and improving finish quality.