Safety resource 05 / 15

Dust and Silica Control During Demolition

Dust control must address the task, the material, worker exposure, nearby occupants and off-site migration—not just visible dust.

Capture, contain and verify

Quick-reference overview. The actual project scope, site conditions, qualified evaluations and applicable requirements control.

  1. At the toolWet methods or integrated collection where applicable
  2. At the boundaryContainment, regulated areas and access control
  3. In the sequencePlan high-dust tasks, cleanup and nearby occupancy
  4. On the workerAssigned PPE and respiratory protection when required

Illustrated field scan

Spot the dust-control problems

Several controls are present, but small failures can undermine the system. Can you find six?

Black-and-white search-and-find illustration of a demolition and concrete-cutting area with wet methods, HEPA equipment, workers, an excavator and several dust-control mistakes.
Training illustration—not a site-specific work plan. Some conditions are intentionally incorrect. Review the full image, then reveal the answer key.
Reveal the six planning cues
  1. Restricted extraction

    A kinked collection hose reduces airflow at the tool.

  2. Dry sweeping

    Dry cleanup can put settled dust back into the air.

  3. Downwind position

    Worker and public positioning must account for where dust travels.

  4. Open equipment cab

    An open cab can defeat the intended enclosed-cab protection during dusty work.

  5. Poor water delivery

    A clogged or badly positioned nozzle reduces source control.

  6. Compressed-air cleanup

    Blowing dust from clothing can create a new exposure.

Project planning snapshot

  1. KnowMaterials, tasks, equipment, occupied areas and potential regulated contaminants.
  2. VerifyApplicable exposure-control plan, Table 1 task and monitoring requirements.
  3. ControlWet methods, collection, containment, access limits, housekeeping and PPE.
  4. RecordTraining, inspections, exposure data and changed-condition response.

Fun facts

Three details worth remembering

  1. The smallest particles may be invisible

    A work area that looks clear is not proof that respirable crystalline silica is adequately controlled.

  2. Table 1 is task-specific

    California’s silica standard provides specified controls for listed construction tasks when the equipment and work practices are fully and properly implemented.

  3. Cleanup is exposure control

    Dry sweeping and dry brushing are restricted when they could contribute to respirable crystalline silica exposure and safer methods are feasible.

Read the detailed planning guidanceConcise, source-grounded project considerations

Identify what the dust may contain

Visible dust can include silica, lead, asbestos, mold, nuisance particulate or other constituents. Available surveys and material information should be reviewed before selecting methods, because water alone does not make an unidentified hazardous material safe to disturb.

Recognize silica thresholds

California’s construction silica standard establishes an action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter and a permissible exposure limit of 50 micrograms per cubic meter, each as an 8-hour time-weighted average. Applicable Table 1 controls must be implemented fully and properly for covered tasks.

Control at the source and boundary

Use feasible engineering controls such as wet methods and tool-integrated collection, then address containment, access restrictions, sequencing and housekeeping. Compressed air and dry sweeping can create additional exposure and should not be used where prohibited or where feasible alternatives are available.

Protect workers and adjacent occupants

Respiratory protection and other PPE may be required, but PPE does not replace required engineering and work-practice controls. Planning should also consider occupied areas, air intakes, pedestrians, neighboring properties, haul routes and debris containers.

Primary references

Requirements can depend on the task, employer, location, project documents and actual field conditions.

SoCal Removal is a licensed demolition and environmental contractor—not an industrial hygienist, testing laboratory, engineer, attorney or regulatory agency.

Review the material before the dust starts.

The correct control plan depends on what is being disturbed, the equipment used and who may be exposed.

Send us

  • Surveys and material information
  • Task and equipment description
  • Occupied-area and site photographs

We review

  • Likely exposure-control interfaces
  • Containment and access needs
  • Sequencing and housekeeping risks
Get a Quote Include the project address and desired start date.