Noise and nuisance

Dust can be a become an issue during construction and demolition work, resulting from activities such as excavation, burning, blasting and, in particular, vehicles using haul roads.

Dust can also be an issue at quarries, waste facilities, ports and other industrial sites. Typical operational sources include stack emissions, stockpiling and loading and unloading materials.

Reducing the risk of dust nuisance

Methods to reduce the risk of causing dust nuisance include the following:

• Installation of wheel washing facilities at site entrances/exits
• Water spraying of haul roads and stockpiles
• Reduction of speeds on haul roads
• Stockpiles for long-term cover
• Stockpiles with bonding agents
• Sheeting of vehicles
• Using sealed or sheeted containers/skips for waste materials
• Erecting barriers or sheeting around works
• Use of chutes to move materials
• Fitting and maintaining of grit and dust arrestment plant

When does dust become a statutory nuisance?

We would have to consider the following to assess whether dust is a statutory nuisance:

• The quantity of dust affecting nearby properties
• The frequency of dust emissions
• Whether the dust is affecting a persons' enjoyment of their property
• Whether the business was using something we call Best Practical Means (BPM) to keep the dust down to a minimum. Essentially, they are doing everything that they can to prevent nuisance, taking into account current technology and cost