Control and management are not the same. Control is the technical act of reducing dust during a task. Management is the organised system that keeps exposure low every day, across teams and phases.

Dust control: task-level techniques

• Capture at source with shrouds, LEV and water suppression; verify airflow under load.
• Capture in the air using air scrubbers or negative air machines sized to the room; match filter class to the hazard (H14 for respirable/carcinogenic dusts).
• Capture on surfaces by vacuuming with M/H‑Class units and banning sweeping and compressed air.

Dust management: the system around the work

• Plan: a dust management plan naming responsible persons, controls per task, and trigger points for upgrades.
• Procure: specify filter class, duty cycle, noise, and service intervals in purchase and hire orders.
• Train: inductions on tool setup, filter checks, and waste handling.
• Maintain: scheduled checks of LEV performance, filter loading, and bag changes; keep spares on site.
• Monitor: routine PM readings, task sampling for RCS, and action logs.
• Review: after changes in materials, methods, or layout; update COSHH assessments.

Make it visible and simple

Post concise method cards at the point of work. Colour-code vacuums and filters by hazard class. Keep a daily housekeeping checklist and bin liners ready to prevent ad‑hoc sweeping.

Practical takeaways

• Use the three-layer framework for control; use planning, training, and monitoring for management.
• Write a short dust plan with named roles and trigger levels.
• Buy or hire to specification: filter class and airflow under load.
• Measure routinely and record evidence with COSHH paperwork.

When management supports control, exposure falls and stays down, regardless of who is on shift or which trade is in the room.