HSE Inspections Are Coming — Is Your Demolition Site Dust Control Up to Scratch?

If you work in demolition or construction, you'll know that silica dust has been on the HSE's radar for years. But 2026 marks a significant escalation. HSE's new inspection programme — over 1,000 inspections — begins May/June 2026 and runs through the 2026/27 period. The message from the regulator is clear: dust suppression is a legal requirement, not best practice.

What the law requires

The workplace exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in the UK is 0.1 mg/m³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average, as set out in HSE's EH40. To put that in perspective, general inhalable dust has a WEL 100 times higher — which reflects just how dangerous silica is at even very small concentrations.

Under COSHH, employers must work through the hierarchy of controls — and dust suppression sits as an engineering control, above administrative measures and RPE. That means the starting point on any demolition site isn't "what mask should workers wear?" — it's "how do we suppress dust at source?"

For crushing and screening demolition arisings, HSE guidance calls for robust water sprays, sealed and filtered cabs for plant operators, and appropriate hygiene controls. And for soft strip demolition, HSE is explicit: water suppression or on-tool extraction must be used as the primary control — RPE alone is not sufficient.

Why water alone isn't always enough

Water is the most common dust suppression method on demolition sites — and when applied correctly, it's effective. But plain water evaporates. On a warm or windy day, a surface treated with water in the morning may be generating dust clouds by mid-afternoon. That means repeated bowser runs, higher water costs and gaps in coverage that put workers at risk.

A longer-lasting suppressant applied to surfaces, stockpiles or haul routes reduces the frequency of reapplication and provides more consistent dust control throughout the working day — without generating the excess moisture that can create other hazards.

What HSE inspectors will be looking for

Based on HSE guidance, inspectors assessing demolition dust controls will want to see: a COSHH assessment covering silica sources, tasks, duration and people affected; engineering controls in place as the primary measure; RPE used in addition to engineering controls — not instead of them; health surveillance records for workers with significant RCS exposure; and evidence of regular equipment checks.

How Dusra supports compliance

Dusra is a biodegradable liquid dust suppressant suitable for demolition sites — applied by spray to surfaces, rubble stockpiles, crushed material and internal haul routes. It binds fine dust particles and retains moisture significantly longer than water alone, reducing airborne RCS at source.

It's straightforward to include in a COSHH plan, simple to evidence during an inspection, and safe for operatives and the environment. If you're reviewing your dust suppression approach ahead of the HSE inspection programme, get in touch to find out how Dusra can help.