Dust Alert: Why Dry Brushing is a Thing of the Past
Posted on April 9, 2025
Dry brushing – or dry sweeping – may seem like a quick and easy way to clean up on-site, but it poses a significant health risk. This common practice stirs up fine dust particles, many of which are respirable and can linger in the air long after the sweeping is done.
In construction environments, especially in plastering, demolition, sanding, or cutting tasks, this dust often contains silica, plaster, gypsum, or wood particles – all of which are all of which pose serious health risks when inhaled.
What Are the Health Risks?
The dust created by dry sweeping isn’t just unpleasant – it’s dangerous.
- Silica dust can lead to silicosis, lung cancer, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
- Gypsum dust from plastering can lead to may cause respiratory irritation and exacerbate asthma.
- Long-term exposure to construction dust is linked to chronic respiratory conditions.
The HSE has made it clear: dry brushing should be avoided wherever possible and is increasingly scrutinised during their site inspections.
Best Practice Alternatives
Here’s what your teams should be doing to control hazardous dusts:
- Wet Cleaning – Dampen down surfaces or sweep with a wet mop or broom to minimise airborne particles.
- Vacuum Extraction – Use an industrial vacuum with a HEPA filter for dust control. Domestic vacuums won’t cut it – make sure it’s rated for construction environments.
- RPE and PPE – Where there’s a residual risk, RPE (e.g. FFP3 masks) must be provided – and face-fit tested. Remember, operatives must be clean shaven to encourage a tight seal ensuring masks are effective.
- Updated Procedures – Implement site cleaning protocols that ban dry brushing and specify approved alternatives.
Don’t forget, Face Fit Testing is provided by Courtley H&S and is free to Members on our monthly Face Fit Open Days, which are held on the second Wednesday of each month. Find further information and book online, here: Book a Face Fit Test.
Legal Responsibilities
Under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations, employers have a legal duty to protect workers from hazardous dust exposure. This includes:
- Assess and control the risk from hazardous dusts.
- Provide proper training and PPE.
- Monitor exposure levels and health surveillance, where relevant.
A failure to manage dust exposure can result in enforcement action, fines, and most importantly – long-term health problems for your workers.
What You Can Do Now
- Review your site cleaning practices.
- Train your staff on dust awareness and safe clean-up methods.
- Refresh your COSHH assessments and risk controls.
- Contact Courtley H&S for a Dust Control Audit or Toolbox Talk.
If you need any advice or support on this subject, or you have any other health and safety concerns, please call us on 0151 545 0497 or email [email protected].