Everyone is grateful for the construction industry. Not only do construction workers build our homes, offices, and businesses but they also repair and fix our roads.

However, they have to deal with some less than ideal working conditions such as dealing with construction dust.

If you work in the industry and want to protect your workers against dust, check out these 9 tips.

1. Water

The easiest and most affordable way to reduce construction dust is water. The use of misted water prevents all those dust particles from flying around and endangering your workers and attaching to everything in site.

Depending on how large the site is, a sprayer truck can go around and mist the area. It’s important to keep the soil damp, so it might need to be reapplied about three times a day.

However, it’s important to note too much water is also bad. Excess water can cause issues of its own such as runoff and erosion. Make sure you find a nice balance.

2. Dust Extractor Vacuums

To help you trap fine construction dust, a dust extractor vacuum it the right tool for the job. The DE120 HEPA is exactly what you need to trap dust in any form of commercial application.

If you’re worried you and your workers will breathe in harmful dust particles, an extractor vacuum handles plaster and concrete, building grinding, and others.

Aside from the original features, this vacuum can also be used as a standard wet and dry vacuum capable of picking up construction dust and harmful debris.

You’ll also be glad to know this extractor is compatible with shot blasters, handheld power tools, and even small scarifiers.

3. Dust Separators

If you want to get rid of 93.3% of construction dust before it even reaches the vacuum unit, then you need to try a separator.

For example, the Cyclone Supa Separator catches all of the construction dust before the vacuum cleaner even begins to work.

This dust separator has a tank with a capacity of 50 litres.

The separator typically goes between the vacuum or extractor, and the grinder. With the help of this separator, you can extend the life of the extractor or vacuum cleaner filter.

A separator will also increase efficiency because you’ll be able to use your machines a lot longer without having to clean and empty dust compartments.

4. Dust Collector

Once construction dust particles become airborne, they can create all kinds of health complications for those who breathe them in. To stop this from happening and harming your workers you need to put your construction dust collector to work.

The dust collector S13 by Husqvarna comes equipped with three filters.

The first filter is a cyclone chamber and in this chamber, the heavier particles are separated and even 95 percent dust.

Next is the conical main filter, which is a washable filter. This filter ensures continuous air flow for more efficiency.

The third filter is the HEPA microfilters. These are individual filters that can capture up to 99.99% of the remaining dust.

5. Wet and Dry Dust Extractor

This vacuum has the capacity to collect dust in either wet or dry modes. The ADE25 uses a two-stage filtration system to collect all of the dust.

The automatic FilterShaker makes it convenient and offers uninterrupted dust extraction. With the help of the shakers, the dust particles are loosened and it prevents the equipment from clogging.

6. Mulch and Vegetation

Using vegetation and mulch as dust control is a type of “set it and forget it” method to deal with this problem.

All you have to do to maintain the mulch and vegetation is to occasionally water it.

The mulch and vegetation will act as a cover that will go on top of the loose and exposed soil to control the dust. You will notice the dust will stay trapped in the mulch even when it gets windy.

You might also be able to add a bit more grass for some extra protection. In fact, grass will provide the most protection from the wind.

7. Air Scrubbers

Even with the best methods, dust will get all over the place and get trapped in places for months.

The way air scrubbers work is by capturing the dust from a construction site once it becomes airborne. This method works better when it’s used for indoor construction.

These machines are not that large and can fit into smaller spaces such as if you’re remodeling a home.

The scrubber vacuums the dust from the air and filters it before sending it out the window.

8. Barriers

Dust barries work by keeping dust from traveling from a construction area to a non-construction area.

These barriers are also known as zipwalls because it keeps the dust contained in one area. You might have seen these barriers before in office buildings getting remodelled or even at department stores.

The contractor should be able to decide how the dust will move from room to room, to then add the barriers accordingly and prevent the dust from leaving the construction area.

Of course, some dust will probably escape the area as people go in and out, but for the most part, it will be contained.

9. Stone Barriers

Stone barriers to control dust on constructions sites are mostly used outside. These barriers can help with dust mostly in road construction.

The stones will trap the dust from traveling far from the construction site. Also, builders tend to use stone as a replacement for mulch and vegetation in areas where the ground is dry.

When working in an area susceptive to high winds, some builders prefer to use 8-inch stones instead of smaller stones.

Put an End to Construction Dust

Depending on the type of job, there are many ways to control construction dust.

Some prefer to use simple tools such as water, mulch and vegetation, and stone barriers. While others prefer dust separators, air wet and dry vacuums, and dust extractors.

If you’re a contractor looking for the best tools for the best construction tools, check out our full list of products.