Managing Construction Dust: Guidance for Members

This responsibility includes the prevention or adequate control of workers’ exposure to construction dust, a common hazard in landscaping and related activities.

What is Construction Dust?

‘Construction Dust’ is a general term used by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to describe various types of dust commonly found on construction sites. These include:

• Silica dust: Generated from materials such as sandstone, granite, concrete, and mortar.
• Non-silica dust: Originating from materials such as gypsum, cement, limestone, and bricks.
• Wood dust: Produced during the cutting or sanding of wood.

Construction dust is likely to be generated during activities such as cutting, drilling, or grinding.

Controlling Exposure to Dust

Eliminating the risk of exposure to construction dust is the gold standard. This can often be achieved through good design and planning. However, where elimination is not feasible, measures must be implemented to control dust and provide workers with appropriately fitted respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

HSE guidance outlines three essential steps for employers:

• Assess the risks: Identify where and how workers may be exposed to construction dust.
• Control the risks: Implement measures to reduce or prevent exposure.
• Review the controls: Regularly check that the controls are effective and being followed.

Practical Solutions for Landscape Operatives

Eliminating Dust at Source

• Off-site preparation: Arrange for products to be cut by the supplier or at an off-site location.

On-site Dust Control Measures

• Water suppression: Use water to suppress dust at the source.
• On-tool extraction: Equip tools with dust extraction systems to capture dust as it is generated.

Using Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE)

Where other measures are insufficient, RPE may be required. The RPE used must meet the following criteria:

• Adequacy: Ensure it provides sufficient protection. RPE has an assigned protection factor (APF), which indicates the level of protection. For construction dust, an APF of 20 is required, meaning the wearer inhales only one-twentieth of the dust in the air.

Type Assigned Protection Factor (APF)
FFP2 10
FFP3 20

• Suitability: It must be appropriate for the specific task and environment.
• Compatibility: Ensure it works well with other personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Fit: Face fit testing is required for tight-fitting masks.
• Proper use: Tight-fitting masks must be worn correctly, and users must be clean-shaven to ensure a good seal.

Additional Controls

• Limit exposure: Reduce the number of people near dust-generating activities.
• Task rotation: Rotate workers performing tasks that create dust to minimise individual exposure.
• Enclose work areas: Use barriers to contain dust within a specific area.
• Appropriate clothing: Select work clothing that does not attract or retain dust.

Monitoring and Review

Regular checks are essential to ensure that dust control measures are being followed consistently by all workers.

Further Information

More detailed guidance is available from the HSE information sheet:

HSE Construction Dust Guidance 

https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/healthrisks/hazardous-substances/construction-dust.htm