Construction dust: improving industry best practice

A key concern around any construction site is the generation of dust and the short-term nuisance and its long-term health effects. High Speed Two (HS2) aims to avoid emissions associated with the project, but where not possible, has key requirements to ensure these are minimised and reduced through control measures. To ensure the effectiveness of measures on its construction sites, HS2 undertakes continuous monitoring of particulate matter (PM₁₀) along the site boundaries. Monitors have a set action level, which provides feedback to contractors when dust concentrations reach a certain level. This allows for investigations and adjustments to the application of mitigation measures to be quickly applied.

Anecdotal evidence from construction sites however suggested that breaches above the action level do not always have an obvious cause, and some occur outside working hours. This causes disruption to construction activities and undue concern to local people. Hence HS2 Ltd funded an academic study to examine the current levels at which dust monitor alerts are set to trigger on construction sites.

The study analysed data from nine construction sites, assessed the performance of the monitoring instruments and the implications for construction site monitoring strategies. The study recommended a revised trigger alert concentration, over a revised period, and a series of new quality assurance measures. These recommendations have been adopted by HS2 but have also resulted in an update to national best practice for the whole construction industry.

This paper sets out how the study was implemented, the findings and how the results have been implemented into HS2 and the industry.