Total Dust Monitoring

What is total dust monitoring?

Total airborne dust monitoring measures the airborne concentration of the overall airborne dust generated by handling, processing and finishing operations that workers may breathe in during normal operations. It quantifies real personal exposure so employers can judge whether existing controls are adequate.

IndustrialAirMonitoring.uk provides independent total dust monitoring across manufacturing, warehousing, construction, food production sites throughout the UK. Our occupational hygienists deliver defensible exposure data that demonstrates compliance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and the workplace exposure limits set out in HSE guidance note EH40.

Why total dust monitoring matters

Under COSHH Regulation 10, employers must monitor exposure to hazardous substances where it is needed to protect health, where a workplace exposure limit could be exceeded, or where control measures need to be verified. Total airborne dust monitoring provides the objective evidence that satisfies this duty.

Uncontrolled exposure to total airborne dust is linked to airway irritation, reduced lung function and chronic respiratory disease. Beyond the legal duty, robust monitoring protects your workforce, reduces the risk of enforcement action and civil claims, and gives insurers and clients confidence that exposure is being actively managed.

How we carry out total dust monitoring

We measure exposure using inhalable (IOM) sampling heads with pre-weighed filters on calibrated personal pumps, analysed gravimetrically, following the recognised MDHS 14/4 methodology. Personal samplers are worn in the breathing zone for a representative full shift to derive an 8-hour time-weighted average, while static (background) samples help map contaminant sources across the workplace.

Samples are analysed by an accredited laboratory and the results compared with the relevant occupational exposure limit. Where short-term peaks are a concern we add 15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL) sampling, so both the chronic and acute risk picture is captured.

Standards, limits and reporting

The current workplace exposure limit for total airborne dust is 10 mg/m3 inhalable (8-hour TWA) (EH40/2005, as amended). We assess compliance using the BS EN 689 statistical decision framework, which accounts for exposure variability rather than relying on a single result.

Your report sets out the measured concentrations, the compliance position, the adequacy of existing controls such as local exhaust ventilation, and a recommended re-monitoring interval. It is written to be understood by managers and to satisfy HSE inspectors, auditors and insurers.

Our total dust monitoring process

Our total dust monitoring programmes follow a structured, four-stage workflow so the results stand up to scrutiny. Request monitoring or book a site assessment to begin.

1Scoping & site survey. We review your processes, COSHH assessments and previous total dust monitoring data, then plan a representative sampling strategy using BS EN 689 similar exposure groups.
2On-site sampling. Qualified occupational hygienists carry out calibrated breathing-zone and static measurements across a representative shift, with full chain-of-custody documentation.
3Accredited analysis. Samples are analysed using the relevant MDHS / ISO laboratory method and the results are compared against the applicable workplace exposure limit.
4Reporting & recommendations. You receive a clear exposure report with compliance status, control recommendations and a re-monitoring interval — defensible evidence for HSE, insurers and auditors.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'total dust' the same as inhalable dust?

In current UK practice the inhalable fraction (10 mg/m3) is the relevant general limit; older 'total dust' sampling is now generally replaced by inhalable sampling, which we provide.

How do you assess dust controls?

By combining personal exposure results with static sampling and observation of extraction and housekeeping, so weaknesses are identified.

What is a good dust exposure result?

Exposures comfortably below the relevant limit with effective, maintained controls — we benchmark against limits using BS EN 689.