Walkways are not just for access; they are a controllable part of dust management. Every footstep or wheel can disturb settled dust and track it into cleaner zones. Designing and maintaining clear, stable routes directly reduces exposure and clean-up effort.

Design routes to avoid dust creation

Keep walkways away from cutting, grinding, and loading points. Use the shortest practical routes to limit time in dusty areas. Maintain smooth, intact floors to reduce agitation and implement speed limits for plant in pedestrian zones. Separate pedestrian and vehicle flows with barriers where space allows.

See the dust to control it

Good visibility reveals hazards and fine debris. Well-placed lighting helps identify settled dust and spills early, especially at low angles that highlight surface contamination. Bright, uniform lighting on routes reduces missed areas and improves the quality of housekeeping.

Housekeeping without re-suspension

Avoid dry sweeping and compressed air. Prioritise industrial vacuuming with suitable filtration, and schedule a regular pass before peak traffic. Where large areas require rapid attention, mechanical sweepers with dust control can be used, provided they capture rather than scatter fines. Keep edges and corners included in the route plan.

Stop track-in and maintain discipline

Place tack mats at transitions into cleaner zones and change them often. Keep cables, offcuts, and packaging off walkways so cleaning can be efficient. Where tasks generate dust near a route, use temporary barriers and water suppression to prevent drift across the path. Establish a quick daily inspection of key routes.

Measure, review, improve

Use a simple particulate monitor for spot checks at busy times. If PM levels spike when traffic increases, shorten cleaning intervals or relocate the route. Document changes so crews know where to walk and what to keep clear.

Practical takeaways

• Plan routes away from active dust sources and keep floors smooth.
• Use effective lighting to reveal dust and target cleaning.
• Vacuum rather than sweep; schedule frequent, quick passes.
• Use tack mats and keep walkways free of clutter.
• Verify with spot PM checks and adjust the plan.

Clear, well-maintained walkways reduce dust exposure by preventing disturbance and tracking, making overall site control simpler and more reliable.