Warehouse Dust Contamination
RISKS, COMPLIANCE, AND SOLUTIONS
In busy manufacturing facilities, processing plants, and storage warehouses, dust is far more than an inconvenience. It is a significant safety, compliance, and productivity concern. Fine particles can impair air quality, reduce visibility, damage equipment, and compromise product integrity. Whether generated through material handling, cutting, grinding, packaging, or vehicle movement, airborne dust must be effectively controlled to protect both people and operations.
There are three primary approaches to dust management: suppression, extraction, and containment. Suppression involves preventing dust from becoming airborne in the first place, often through moisture or chemical treatments. Extraction removes airborne particles via filtration systems. Containment, such as a dust shield temporary wall system or dust barrier temporary wall system, isolates dusty processes, preventing the spread of contaminants to cleaner areas.
Factory-Wide Dust Management Strategies
Containment is most effective when integrated with a site-wide dust control plan. This may involve choosing between centralised extraction systems, which serve multiple zones from one location, or decentralised systems installed directly at each dust source.
Routine cleaning and housekeeping schedules are essential to remove settled dust before it becomes airborne again. Equally important is the regular maintenance of filters and ventilation systems, ensuring optimal performance and preventing recirculation of particles.
A partitioned approach to dust control delivers measurable advantages. By separating production areas from offices, storage, and packing zones, workers enjoy cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Defined dust zones simplify cleaning, as contaminants are concentrated in specific areas rather than dispersed throughout the facility. This reduces cross-contamination between different manufacturing processes and lowers energy costs by enabling dust extraction systems to operate only where necessary.
Health and Safety Risks of Poor Dust Control
Uncontrolled dust poses a range of hazards. Fine particulate matter can cause respiratory irritation, aggravate asthma, and lead to long-term occupational lung conditions. In certain industries, combustible dust presents a serious explosion hazard if accumulated and ignited. Even non-combustible dust can settle on floors and surfaces, creating slip and trip risks, or reduce visibility in high-traffic zones. Over time, dust build-up can also affect machinery performance, leading to costly downtime.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
In the UK, the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations set strict workplace exposure limits for inhalable and respirable dust. Employers are legally required to assess, control, and monitor dust levels to protect workers. For facilities handling combustible dust, the ATEX directives for explosive atmospheres may also apply, requiring the elimination or isolation of ignition risks.
By installing warehouse dust screens or factory dust screens to create partitioned work zones, businesses can confine dusty processes to designated areas, making it easier to monitor exposure, maintain air quality, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Dust Containment Solutions
Effective dust containment starts with robust physical barriers. Around high-dust processes, fixed or flexible enclosures prevent airborne particles from migrating into clean areas. Machinery can be enclosed with bespoke panels, while sealed conveyor systems reduce transfer point emissions.
In larger facilities, factory dust containment measures such as curtain walling or zoned work areas offer flexibility. Partitioning systems can be configured to meet changing operational needs, maintaining a safe and clean environment without hindering productivity.
Partitioning from DBC Industrial
DBC Industrial offers a range of partitioning systems ideally suited for warehouse dust containment and factory dust containment.
Our Durascreen® Flexible Factory Partitioning provides a versatile solution for creating dust-controlled zones without major structural alterations. For more permanent separation, our Warehouse Partitioning delivers robust performance in busy environments. Steel Partitioning offers maximum durability for high-impact industrial settings, providing both physical strength and effective dust isolation.
Working with DBC Industrial means partnering with a team experienced in designing and installing tailored dust control solutions. We assess each site to recommend the most suitable approach, ensuring that our systems are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and fully compliant with UK safety regulations.
For facilities requiring complementary solutions, our Industrial Doors and Industrial Curtains can be integrated into partitioning systems to optimise workflow while maintaining dust separation.
Ready to improve air quality and compliance in your facility? Contact DBC Industrial to discuss a tailored dust management solution.