DUS/General/TBT-DUS-012

Sweeping and Housekeeping (Dust)

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Sweeping and Housekeeping (Dust)

Toolbox Talk Record

Ref: TBT-DUS-012  |  Issue: 1  |  Date: March 2026
PresenterProject
LocationDate

What?

  • Dry sweeping on construction sites creates airborne dust clouds containing respirable hazards.
  • Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) from concrete, mortar, and stone dust causes silicosis and lung cancer.
  • COSHH 2002 requires employers to control dust exposure — dry sweeping often breaches workplace exposure limits.
  • Vacuum cleaning with an H-class (HEPA filtered) industrial vacuum is the preferred dust control method.
  • Where vacuuming is not practicable, damp sweeping with water suppression reduces airborne dust significantly.
  • Standard workshop vacuums do not have adequate filtration and simply redistribute fine dust.
  • Housekeeping activities often generate more dust exposure than the original construction task itself.
  • Workers involved in regular sweeping and cleaning duties need health surveillance for dust exposure.
  • Dust accumulation on surfaces, ledges, and equipment re-entrains into the air with vibration or movement.
  • Good housekeeping reduces overall site dust levels and protects all workers, not just the sweeper.

Why?

Lung diseaseInhaling RCS and construction dust causes irreversible conditions including silicosis, COPD, and lung cancer.
Legal dutyCOSHH 2002 requires dust exposure to be controlled so far as reasonably practicable — dry sweeping often fails this test.
Site-wide exposurePoor housekeeping allows dust to accumulate and become airborne repeatedly, exposing all workers in the area.
Do Don't
  • Use an H-class (HEPA) industrial vacuum as the first choice for dust removal
  • Dampen surfaces before sweeping to suppress airborne dust generation
  • Wear RPE rated for the dust type present when cleaning dusty areas
  • Clean up dust and debris regularly — do not allow it to accumulate
  • Dispose of collected dust in sealed bags to prevent it becoming airborne again
  • Include dust housekeeping methods in the site COSHH assessment
  • Ensure H-class vacuums are maintained and filters changed as specified
  • Brief cleaning operatives on the health risks of construction dust exposure
  • Coordinate cleaning activities to minimise disruption to other site workers
  • Enrol workers who regularly clean dusty environments in health surveillance
  • DON'T dry sweep construction dust with a standard broom in enclosed areas
  • DON'T use compressed air to blow dust off surfaces, clothing, or equipment
  • DON'T use a standard domestic or workshop vacuum — only H-class is adequate
  • DON'T empty vacuum bags or dust containers in windy or enclosed conditions
  • DON'T allow dust to accumulate on horizontal surfaces, ledges, and equipment
  • DON'T carry out sweeping without RPE in areas with silica-containing materials
  • DON'T sweep near other workers without warning them and allowing them to move
  • DON'T ignore dust — even if you cannot see particles, respirable dust is present
  • DON'T dispose of silica-containing dust with general waste without containment
  • DON'T assume housekeeping is low-risk — it can generate the highest dust exposures

See also: Construction Dust Awareness | Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS)
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