Industrial Vacuum Cleaners & Dust Extractors
M-Class and H-Class Dust Extraction — COSHH Compliant, Classification Certified
Not all vacuum cleaners are the same. In a professional or industrial environment, the dust classification of the machine is a legal compliance question — not a preference. Under COSHH 2002, employers have a legal duty to control exposure to hazardous dust through engineering controls. That means using the right class of extraction equipment for the dust being generated.
V-TUF industrial vacuum cleaners and dust extractors are classification-certified to M-Class and H-Class — the two health-rated standards that satisfy COSHH engineering control requirements. Each machine carries the classification mark. Certification documentation is available for COSHH assessments and method statements.
Industrial vacuum cleaners — complete buyer's guide →
M-Class or H-Class — which do you need?
M-Class — minimum 99.9% filtration at 1 micron. Required for silica dust (RCS), wood dust (hardwood), flour dust and other substances with a Workplace Exposure Limit. The legal minimum for on-tool extraction when cutting stone, concrete, block or hardwood. Also the specification for general occupied building cleaning under the 2027 Indoor Air Quality framework.
H-Class — minimum 99.995% filtration at 0.3 microns with H14 HEPA. Required for asbestos, mould remediation (COSHH Hazard Group 2 biological agent), carcinogenic dusts and any application where M-Class filtration is insufficient. The specification for the highest-risk environments.
Full guide — M-Class vs H-Class, why classification matters and what to look for →
Browse by classification and application
The dust that requires certified extraction
- Silica dust (RCS) — WEL 0.1mg/m³. Carcinogen. M-Class minimum. HSE running nationwide enforcement in 2026 — over 1,000 site inspections targeting dry cutting.
- Hardwood dust — WEL 3mg/m³. Carcinogen. M-Class minimum for all hardwood sanding and cutting.
- Mould — Hazard Group 2 biological agent under COSHH. H-Class with H14 HEPA required for all remediation vacuuming.
- Asbestos — H-Class with H14 HEPA. Licensed contractor requirement for notifiable work.
- Flour and grain dust — WEL 10mg/m³ (total), 3mg/m³ (respirable). M-Class minimum in food processing environments.
- General fine dust in occupied buildings — M-Class minimum under the 2027 Indoor Air Quality framework.
- Industrial vacuum cleaners buyer's guide →
- COSHH Regulations 2002 →
- H-Class extraction hub →
- M-Class extraction hub →
- Full legislation hub →
Telephone: 01522 787978 for dust extraction specification advice. Contact the V-TUF trade team → | V-TUF Knowledge Hub →
