Between heavy equipment moving in and out of the jobsite, tools digging into the soil and the loss of ground cover, construction activity kicks up a lot of dust. While dirt is an inevitable byproduct of construction, dust control should be a high priority for builders. Not only does the control of dust from construction and demolition activities benefit the general public and the environment, but it also helps contractors keep their machinery in good condition. There are many techniques companies can use for construction site dust suppression, including using ground protection mats. When used as dust control mats, these can be extremely useful for limiting the amount of fine particulate matter in the air.

Why is dust control necessary?

There are a number of reasons why investing in dust control on construction sites is necessary and beneficial, including protecting public health, keeping the environment clean and maintaining equipment.

Protecting public health

The amount of dust that ends up in the atmosphere around jobsites can potentially cause respiratory issues. This is especially true for those who have medical conditions that make breathing difficult. In addition, these particulates may contain pollen or mold spores that can lead to severe allergic reactions or even infections.

Keeping the environment clean

If left to drift, dust may settle into lakes, rivers or other water sources. In large enough quantities, this could lead to contamination capable of harming wildlife. Additionally, some places have laws that prohibit tracking dirt or debris out of project sites. Failing to use proper dust control methods in construction may put contractors at risk of fines.

Maintaining equipment

Keeping dust under control helps prolong the life of heavy machinery by keeping it out of the equipments' components. Over time, dirt and dust can cause microscopic abrasions on machinery that can speed up deterioration and corrosion, affecting performance.

Using mats for dust control

Already useful for enabling cranes, trucks and other equipment to access areas that lack roads, timber mats also help protect air quality on site. When used to construct temporary roadways, these mats cover unpaved access points and prevent wheels or treads from coming in direct contact with the soil. This keeps them from churning up big clouds of dirt.

In addition, using our trackout control mats prevents vehicles from carrying mud and debris onto roads. The unique design of these mats cleans tires and tracks as equipment drives over them. This means mud doesn’t have a chance to dry out on the street and contribute to the particulates in the atmosphere.

As a recognized leader in access mats for the construction industry, United Rentals has a full line of construction mats ready to go wherever your project is located.

For more information about ground protection mat rentals, contact our United Rentals experts.