Airborne dust can pose significant health risks to workplace staff and building occupants. Dusts are generated from a wide range of materials, including wood, flour, grain, silica and heavy metals.
Health risks depend on the chemical composition of each type. For example, hardwood dusts are confirmed human carcinogens, while flour dust is a known sensitiser that can trigger allergic reactions. All airborne dusts are considered hazardous substances and may contribute to obstructive lung disease and other respiratory conditions. Workplace dusts are generally categorised into two main types:
Testing for dust is essential to:
Dust monitoring should be included where activities such as construction, demolition or earthworks have the potential to generate airborne dust. Including dust monitoring early in a project helps manage impacts on workers, neighbouring properties and the surrounding environment.
Dust is regulated under both WHS laws and environmental legislation in Australia, requiring businesses to ensure airborne contaminants do not exceed workplace exposure standards (WES) and to control emissions to help prevent harm to workers, the public and the environment.
Yes. Uncontrolled dust can affect nearby buildings, public areas and sensitive environments. This can lead to complaints, reputational risk and potential intervention from regulators if the uncontrolled dust is not managed properly.
Dust monitoring measures airborne particulate levels generated by site activities. This supports assessment of exposure risks and helps determine whether dust control measures are effective.
Monitoring can be tailored to different project requirements, including general dust and respirable particles, depending on the nature of the works and potential risks involved.
If dust levels rise above acceptable thresholds, control measures need to be reviewed and improved. This may include changes to work practices, increased suppression or temporary adjustment of activities.
Dust monitoring can be undertaken using fixed or portable equipment positioned around a site. These systems track dust levels over time and provide data that can be used to assess trends and respond to changing conditions.
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