Dust control and air quality for job sites
Demolition, earthwork and cutting make dust, and dust brings complaints, citations and health risks. We source water trucks, misting and air scrubbing equipment from local providers, schedule it with the work and keep it on one agreement with your other site services.
- WaterBefore, during and after
- CaptureShrouds and HEPA vacuums
- Clean airScrubbers indoors
Worker exposure
What OSHA requires for silica dust
OSHA's silica standard lists engineering controls for common tasks. Examples include water-fed saws, shrouded drills and HEPA-filtered vacuums.1
| Task | Control in the standard |
|---|---|
| Handheld and walk-behind saws | A saw with an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade |
| Drilling | A drill with a commercially available shroud or cowling and a dust collection system, and a HEPA-filtered vacuum when cleaning holes |
| Grinding | Grinders with a commercially available shroud and dust collection system |
| Housekeeping | No dry sweeping or dry brushing where it could expose workers, unless wet sweeping, HEPA vacuuming or other methods are not feasible |
The standard has more rows and respirator requirements that vary by task. Read it for your work, and talk to your safety lead.
Dust control for a job?
Tell us the work, the area and the neighbors. We source water trucks, misting and air scrubbing equipment.
Neighbors and regulators
Local dust rules can be strict
Many places regulate dust at the property line. Maricopa County, Arizona, for example, tells contractors that the opacity of dust emissions from dust generating operations cannot exceed 20 percent, that no visible dust may cross the property line, and that water should be applied to control emissions before, during and after earthmoving.2 Your county or air district may have different rules and may require a dust control plan or permit, so check before you start and write it into the schedule.
Planning
Putting dust control in the plan
Controls work best when they are planned with the work.
- 01
Wet the work, not the whole site
Apply water where dust starts, before, during and after the dust making task, and keep roads and stockpiles damp.
- 02
Capture at the tool
Use saws with water, shrouded drills and HEPA vacuums where the standard calls for them.
- 03
Clean the air indoors
Air scrubbers with ducting help in open building shells and finishing phases.
- 04
Control track out
Keep mud off the street. See wheel wash and track-out, construction site checklist and concrete washout.
Common questions
Dust control questions
What does OSHA require for silica dust?
Engineering controls for common tasks, such as saws that feed water to the blade, drills with a shroud and dust collection, and HEPA vacuums, plus no dry sweeping where it could expose workers.
How do you control dust on a demolition site?
Misting or hoses, water trucks and covered or damp stockpiles, with capture at the tool and clean-up that does not blow dust around.
What is a dust control plan?
A written plan some counties and air districts require for earthmoving and construction, describing how you will control dust. Check yours before you start.
Do air scrubbers help on a construction site?
They remove particles from the air indoors, especially in open shells and during finishing. They do not replace controls at the source.
Can you supply water trucks and misting?
We source them through local providers. Tell us the site and the dates.
How do I get a quote?
Call sales at (888) 588-2607 or request a quote.
Water, equipment and cleanup on one agreement
Local providers do the work; we hold the contract, own the problems, and send one bill. If a delivery gets missed, we contact the provider the same business day.
Read next
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica, Table 1 and paragraph (f). Checked November 3, 2026. ecfr.gov
- Maricopa County Air Quality Department, Dust Abatement Handbook (February 2026). Checked November 3, 2026. maricopa.gov