Dust Risk Assessment
- Feb 25
- 6 min read
Dust risk assessments are used to evaluate the risk of dust from proposed construction activities and provide mitigation measures to control impacts to an acceptable level.
In planning applications, a dust risk assessment can be submitted as a standalone report, or as part of a wider air quality assessment. It commonly links directly to a site-specific dust management plan which is used to manage dust during construction.
Dust control measures vary depending on the risk of a site. Where measures may not be sufficient, particularly on high-risk sites, monitoring can be used to confirm that the dust mitigation in place is effective.
This article summarises why dust risk assessments are required, when they are needed for planning, how site risk determines dust mitigation, and the potential for dust monitoring.
Why is dust considered in construction?
Dust is not just a nuisance, it can become a serious health hazard. Construction activities cause increases in airborne particulate concentrations, such as particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), which have serious long-term health consequences. Dust can also be deposited on surfaces, resulting in loss of amenity, and it can damage sensitive ecological receptors.
Dust can also become a legal issue when not controlled appropriately. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 sets out that dust from sites can fall within the statutory nuisance framework. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations requires protection against the risks from hazardous construction dusts. This is why dust complaints during work can escalate quickly if controls are not demonstrably effective.
Below is a short video by the Health and Safety Executive demonstrating the consequences of exposure to construction dust.
What is a dust risk assessment?
A dust risk assessment evaluates the magnitude of dust-generating sources, the number and sensitivity of nearby receptors and the existing air quality context to provide dust control measures proportionate to the potential impacts.
The assessment is carried out by an air quality consultant in line with the IAQM guidance on the assessment of dust from demolition and construction, which frames the assessment across four activities (demolition, earthworks, construction, and trackout). Further guidance is also considered when assessing mineral dust impacts for planning.
A planning-led dust risk assessment is different from occupational hygiene and workplace compliance.
Many construction projects therefore need two complementary lenses: an exposure to dust risk assessment for worker health (occupational / COSHH focus), and an air quality dust risk assessment for off-site receptors and the wider environment (planning focus). It is important to keep this distinction to avoid a common pitfall in planning submissions.
When is a dust risk assessment required?
Local planning authorities often require the air quality impact of new developments to be considered as part of the decision-making process. This can be submitted either as a standalone document or within a wider Environmental Impact Assessment.
For construction dust, IAQM's screening step is widely used as a trigger for when a construction dust risk assessment is normally required.
Construction dust risk assessment screening criteria:
Receptor Type | Distance from Site Boundary (m) | Distance from Construction Traffic Routes (m) |
Human Receptors (e.g. residential, schools, hospitals) | 250m of the boundary of the site; and/or | 50m of the route(s) used by construction vehicles on the public highway, up to 250m from the site entrance(s). |
Ecological Receptors (e.g. designated habitats) | 50m of the boundary of the site; and/or | 50m of the route(s) used by construction vehicles on the public highway, up to 250m from the site entrance(s). |
If no receptors fall within these distances, the dust risk is typically screened out as negligible and a detailed assessment is not normally required.
However, it should be noted that for certain high-risk developments, the local planning authority may still require a dust risk assessment even where the site lies outside the standard screening distances.
How is a construction dust risk assessment is carried out?
Once screening confirms that an assessment is required, air quality consultants identify the dust-generating activities (construction, demolition, earthworks and trackout) and assess their magnitude. Nearby receptors and their risk is evaluated, taking into account factors such as local PM10 concentrations.
Based on the risk level for each dust-generating activity, mitigation measures are recommended for implementation throughout the construction phase.
In London, the Mayor of London’s supplementary planning guidance, Control of dust and emissions during construction and demolition, is still relevant. However, the GLA has released a short note that signposts to the IAQM guidance which should be followed when undertaking dust risk assessments in London.
The Greater London Authority clarifies that while IAQM provides the primary technical methodology, relevant aspects of the London SPG such as Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) requirements should continue to be taken into account.
Dust mitigation
There are a wide variety of effective dust control measures, including water suppression, enclosure of dusty activities, minimising drop heights, and maintaining damp surfaces.
Water suppression is particularly effective, using misting, bowsers, or fixed sprays to dampen exposed materials and haul routes so particles cannot easily become airborne.
Boundary and transport controls help prevent dust leaving the site and causing nuisance to neighbours. Typical measures include wheel washing, hard-surfaced haul routes, and road sweeping.
Where risks are medium or high, mitigation can be supported by monitoring and regular inspections with clear trigger levels and escalation procedures.
Effective dust management provides mitigation measures proportionate to the level of risk identified. It includes how dust will be controlled, checked and managed throughout the construction phase.
Dust Management Plan
A Dust Management Plan (DMP) is a site-specific document setting out how dust emissions will be prevented and controlled during construction. It may also be referred to as an air quality and dust management plan when prepared alongside a wider air quality assessment. Read our article to find out more about air quality assessments.
A DMP defines responsibilities for dust management, phase-specific mitigation measures, monitoring arrangements and the actions required if complaints are received. A dust control management plan is a live document that is regularly reviewed and updated throughout construction and is often incorporated within a construction environmental management plan.
Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)
A CEMP is a site-specific document that sets out how environmental impacts will be managed during construction.
It is commonly required by planning authorities before works begin, particularly for larger or more sensitive developments, to ensure that construction activities are carried out responsibly and in compliance with environmental regulations.
A CEMP identifies potential environmental risks such as dust, noise, waste, water pollution and ecological impacts, and sets out the procedures, mitigation measures, monitoring and reporting required to manage those risks. It also defines responsibilities, establishes communication with stakeholders and provides a framework for ongoing review throughout construction activities.
Dust management is typically a core component of a Construction Environmental Management Plan and is often satisfied through a standalone Dust Management Plan.
Dust monitoring
According to IAQM's Guidance on Monitoring in the Vicinity of Demolition and Construction Sites, the primary purpose of dust monitoring is to confirm dust mitigation in place is effective, trigger additional mitigation where needed, and provide an evidence base in the event of complaints.
For medium-risk sites, passive dust monitoring may be sufficient. This can include deposition gauges and sticky pads, which measure dust settling on surfaces and help assess nuisance dust. While these methods are generally lower cost, they provide less precise and less immediate data than continuous monitoring.
High-risk sites may require continuous particulate monitoring to provide precise, real-time data and rapid alerts if agreed trigger levels are exceeded that can be actioned upon immediately.
Although continuous monitoring can involve higher upfront costs, advances in sensor technology are making systems increasingly cost-effective and widely preferred by local authorities. While passive monitoring remains important, the industry is gradually moving towards greater use of automated monitoring to support proactive and responsive dust management.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a dust risk assessment for a small build?
Project size matters less than receptor proximity and dust-generating activities. IAQM’s screening approach is triggered by whether receptors are present nearby and whether demolition, earthworks, construction, and trackout activities are present.
Who prepares a risk assessment for dust control?
Dust assessments are prepared by an air quality consultant familiar with relevant guidance. The assessor should be technically competent as professional judgement is often required given that project contexts vary widely.
How much does a dust risk assessment cost?
Many companies charge a separate fee for a construction dust risk assessment, with costs varying depending on site complexity. At Air Quality Solutions, we include construction dust risk assessments at no additional cost when they form part of a wider Air Quality Assessment. To learn more, view our article on air quality assessment cost.
How long does it take to complete a construction dust risk assessment?
Air Quality Solutions typically provides a two-day turnaround for dust risk assessments, subject to receiving all required project information.
Need a dust assessment?
A dust assessment demonstrates that dust from construction activities will be effectively controlled to protect nearby residents, sensitive land uses and ecological receptors. It is often required by local planning authorities as a standalone report or within a wider Air Quality Assessment.
Air Quality Solutions expert air quality consultants help clients with dust services, providing robust, policy-compliant reports with fast turnaround times. If you need a dust assessment, get a quote from us today.
