5 minute read
COMPANY PROFILE
AIR SPECTRUM:
‘Dust – the occupational risk we cannot ignore – a greener way to tackle it.
Air Spectrum delve into the importance of prioritising air quality and the elevated risk it poses to those in the construction, demolition, and waste industry.
DUSTY WORK
environments are not to be taken lightly. In fact, air quality as a health issue in the UK, is in crisis. Therefore, it’s not hard to imagine the elevated risks that are present in industries such as construction, demolition, waste and recycling and timber processing. In our built environment, the most common industrial dust threats come from construction and waste sectors. They can cause respirable disease and damage, some lasting a lifetime. The challenge therefore, is to prevent that from happening.
Before prevention, we need to understand what the common occupational respirable risks are. There are two types that can cause short and long term damage to unprotected employees:
Respirable dust particles are responsible for travelling deep into the lungs and causing serious health effects for those exposed to them. A respirable dust particle can be identified as being smaller than 10 µm.
Inhalable dust is made up of larger particles that can be breathed in, these particles are visible to the naked eye and can be inhaled through the throat and nose. Dust particles smaller than 100 µm make up inhalable dust.
The reason for concern about occupational lung health and ability to breathe is that if you can’t do it properly, your whole life is affected, both personally and professionally. Lung disease is all pervasive. The effects might not be immediate, but they are likely to develop into a serious condition, so it’s worth thinking about the future now and what can be done to prevent occupational related illness.
Don’t ignore your safety guidance at work.
WHAT ARE THE INDUSTRY RISKS
• Cutting stone • Mixing concrete • Woodwork • Insulating • Demolishing • Welding • Sweeping up • Cutting MDF • Movement of dry • Maintenance materials • Grit blasting • Transport on site • Painting & removal of paint
the specific occupational health risks are many & these are some of the possible results:
• Chronic asthma • Chest infections • Irreversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) • Cancer • Silicosis • Asbestosis
Much can be accomplished by establishing a plan that identifies all risks to employees clearly. From this identification, a targeted health and safety plan can be created for each site.
Health and safety managers must be diligent with producing Method Statements, Risk Assessments, and other relevant data sheets. It’s doubly important that employees are encouraged to read and heed them. They provide vital information which ensures employees undertake their work safely, protecting their health.
It’s also important for employees to feel that they can question any safety guidance. They are the ones on the frontline working in the hazardous conditions every day. So, if safety guidance provided isn’t compatible with what risks occur on site, then changes may need to be made to safety materials.
And finally, always wear PPE and use appropriate safety equipment, like dust suppression. Always ensure PPE equipment is in good condition, wearing the relevant protection to the type of job being undertaken and size of dust particle present.
Undertaking Occupational Hygiene Assessments are another key factor in determining risk factors to employees. They help to identify and measure workplace exposure levels to harmful dust and the ensuing risk of contracting respiratory illness from them.
TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE CHANGES IN AIR QUALITY IN THE INDUSTRIAL SETTING, TECHNOLOGY MUST EVOLVE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
Greener safety technology that doesn’t add to the problems
In terms of occupational practices, to achieve lasting, positive changes
in air quality in the industrial setting, technology must evolve, and most importantly, be embraced. Solutions don’t have to be complicated. Re-using familiar technology in different ways can spark a cultural change in our supply chains if we don’t shy away from it.
A common solution to controlling dust on sites is the use of water. Water-based dust suppression through misting and fogging equipment is a common approach. The nozzles produce a finely atomised mist of water that captures the dust and brings it to the ground. With many solutions available, dust suppression equipment can be mobile or fixed on-site depending on the requirements and individual needs.
At Air Spectrum Environmental, we are committed to developing the greenest solutions to improve air quality going forward. We have already designed an emissions free dust suppression system – ‘ecotech’.
It is battery operated rather than using diesel, so functions at zero emissions. It makes negligible sound, therefore not adding to noise pollution – yet another occupational health concern. By using this kind of dust suppression, workers operating in dangerously dusty environments, like in our cities’ ongoing building and engineering projects, are afforded a safety solution that does not create an emissions problem while fulfilling its function.
To successfully achieve Net Zero by 2050, decarbonising of supply chains is vital as we build a
more sustainable future. Commitment to make a difference is the key and then acting upon it. Concerns along the supply chain about using ‘new’ technologies like this are often cost based. However, to decarbonise the supply chain only transfers a small percentage more cost to the end user. The hardest part of the process is making the decision to use green solutions going forward, and then the adjustment to a newer way of working follows.
The ‘ecotech’ battery-operated system is available on a range of Air Spectrum’s dust suppression range. They are available to assess and advise on what solutions are required to keep dust at bay on-site, keeping workers safe. Air quality monitoring and assessment services are also available.
Visit www.airspectrum.com or give them a call on 01905 362100 to discuss your requirements. ■ Plant Planet • OCTOBER 2022 • 89
