HSE CIS 36 Construction Dust

LEVCentral Expert Commentary

Construction dust is one of the largest causes of occupational ill health in the UK. Every day, thousands of workers are exposed to dust generated during cutting, drilling, grinding, chasing, sanding and demolition activities. While these dusts may appear harmless, regular exposure can lead to serious and irreversible diseases including silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occupational asthma and lung cancer.

HSE’s Construction Information Sheet (CIS36) is a concise but highly practical guide explaining the health risks associated with construction dust and, more importantly, how exposure can be prevented or adequately controlled. Written specifically for employers, supervisors and workers, it focuses on straightforward engineering controls and safe working practices rather than complex occupational hygiene principles.

The guidance identifies three principal categories of construction dust:

Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) generated from concrete, mortar, brick, stone and similar materials.
Wood dust generated during woodworking operations.
Lower toxicity dusts, including plasterboard, gypsum, limestone, marble and dolomite.

For LEV professionals, CIS36 reinforces a key principle that applies across every industry: capture contaminants as they are generated. HSE highlights two primary engineering controls for dusty construction activities—water suppression and on-tool Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV). When correctly designed and maintained, these measures dramatically reduce airborne dust before it reaches the worker’s breathing zone.

The publication also follows HSE’s simple Assess – Control – Review approach, providing employers with an easy framework for complying with COSHH while protecting workers from long-term respiratory disease.

View HSE Guide

View Original HSE Guidance

Key Learning Points

The guidance explains:

Why construction dust presents serious long-term health risks.
The three main categories of construction dust:
- Respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
- Wood dust.
- Lower toxicity mineral dusts.
The principal diseases associated with dust exposure:
- Lung cancer.
- Silicosis.
- COPD.
- Occupational asthma.
The COSHH Assess – Control – Review approach.
How to reduce dust generation before work begins.
Correct use of:
- Water suppression.
- On-tool LEV.
Selection of suitable dust extraction units (H, M and L Class).
When Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is required.
The importance of equipment maintenance, worker training and regular review of controls.

Source Document Information

Organisation: Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Document: CIS36 – Construction Dust

Document Type: Construction Information Sheet

Primary Topics: Construction Dust, Respirable Crystalline Silica, Wood Dust, On-tool LEV, Water Suppression, COSHH

Audience: Construction Contractors, Site Managers, LEV Engineers, Occupational Hygienists, Health & Safety Professionals, Supervisors and Workers.

LEVCentral Perspective

Although only a few pages long, CIS36 is one of HSE’s most effective pieces of guidance because it translates occupational hygiene into practical actions that can be implemented immediately on site.

Rather than presenting complex technical information, it asks three simple questions:

Have you assessed the risk?
Have you controlled the dust?
Are you checking that the controls continue to work?

These questions reflect the same lifecycle thinking found throughout modern LEV practice.

The emphasis on on-tool extraction is particularly important. Dust should be captured as close as possible to where it is generated, preventing it from dispersing into the workplace. This not only reduces worker exposure but also improves visibility, housekeeping and overall site cleanliness.

Further Resources

Recommended Learning

Thought Leadership

Construction remains one of the industries with the highest burden of occupational respiratory disease, yet many of these illnesses are entirely preventable. CIS36 demonstrates that effective dust control does not necessarily require sophisticated technology. Simple measures—using the right tool, fitting effective on-tool extraction, supplying sufficient water suppression and maintaining equipment properly—can reduce exposure dramatically.

For LEV professionals, the guidance reinforces a principle that extends far beyond construction: the best engineering controls prevent contaminants entering the workplace atmosphere in the first place.

When combined with competent planning, maintenance and worker training, simple source-capture techniques provide lasting protection against some of the most serious occupational diseases affecting today’s workforce.