Industrial dust is any fine particulate generated by work processes such as cutting, drilling, sanding, blasting, conveying, or handling bulk powders. On UK sites it spans silica from concrete and stone, wood dust, gypsum, metal fines, flour and other organics. Much of it is invisible; particles in the PM10 to PM1 range remain airborne, travel across buildings, and penetrate deep into the lungs.

Why it matters

Health, compliance, and productivity are all at stake. The HSE Workplace Exposure Limit for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is 0.1 mg/m³ as an 8‑hour TWA. That is a thimble of dust spread across a large site’s air. Fine dust also drives rework by contaminating finishes, damages equipment, and can create slip and fire risks.

Recognise the high‑risk tasks

Wet or dry cutting of masonry, chasing, grinding, sanding hardwoods and MDF, and clean‑ups are core generators. Look for dust plumes in backlight, settled dust on ledges, and irritated throats or eyes; confirm with a particulate monitor when possible.

Practical control: the three‑layer approach

1) Capture at source

• Use water suppression on masonry where compatible.
• Fit tool‑mounted extraction with the right shroud; run M‑ or H‑Class extractors matched to the hazard.
• Choose processes and speeds that reduce cutting energy and dust liberation.

2) Capture in the air

• Deploy air scrubbers or negative air units sized by airflow under load, not free‑air figures.
• Set dirty zones slightly negative to clean areas to prevent migration.

3) Capture on surfaces

• Vacuum with industrial units using appropriate filtration; avoid sweeping and compressed air.
• Bag and seal waste promptly; damp‑wipe high touch surfaces.

Simple setup that works

Define work zones, control air pathways, and verify with visual checks or a PM meter. Plan maintenance for filters and seals. Integrated approaches help; for example, complete MAXVAC systems can align source extraction, portable air filtration, and housekeeping into one coherent method statement without over‑complicating site logistics.

Practical takeaways

• Map the dust sources before work starts and choose controls for each layer.
• Specify filtration by hazard: H14 for fine or carcinogenic dusts; match airflow under load.
• Train teams to avoid dry sweeping and to check extraction is actually drawing.
• Track conditions with a simple particulate monitor where feasible.

Treat dust as a controllable process variable. A clear plan, the right equipment, and disciplined housekeeping will protect people and keep projects on programme.