Dust suppression Hummingbird cabin pressure monitors are helping to prevent illnesses associated with exposure to dangerous dust particles, such as asbestosis and black lung.
Hummingbird Electronics cabin pressure monitors keep vehicle cabin air clear MINING CAN BE A DANGEROUS PROFESSION, WHETHER YOU’RE OPERATING ABOVE GROUND IN OPEN CUT CONDITIONS OR DEEP UNDERGROUND. SOMETIMES IT’S THE SMALLER RISKS THAT CAN BE THE MAJOR HEALTH HAZARDS. SALOMAE HASELGROVE WRITES.
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eing so miniscule, dust is not only an issue for workers mining out in the open but also within machinery, as the tiny particles find their way into cabins and make breathing conditions unsafe for workers. It is difficult to tell when dust particles and the air pressure within the cabin become dangerous for an operator relying on their senses alone, so Hummingbird Electronics has worked to bring an innovative solution to the industry to counter this risk. Hummingbird has developed its cabin pressure monitors that compare atmospheric pressure outside of the cabin versus inside. The solution ensures that there is enough positive pressure within
the cabin to keep out dust and other contaminants. Hummingbird national sales and marketing manager Mark Bruce says the company offers two different models of cabin pressure monitors: the configurable cabin pressure monitor and the panel mount cabin pressure monitor. “The configurable model is a very compact unit that allows it to be tucked up out of the way of operators,” Bruce tells Safe to Work. “The panel mount provides a lot more detail with regards to specific pressure that’s currently in the cabin and also an audible and visual alarm or warning status should the air pressure start to fall to an unsafe level. “Essentially, the cabin pressure
SAFETOWORK.COM.AU 24 MAR-APR 2020
monitor, whether its configurable or panel mount, is mounted in the cabin of a machine to ensure it is pressurised. “Our device ensures cabin pressure systems continue to operate at their peak, keeping the dust and other airborne contaminants out of machinery cabins.” Monitoring air pressure is essential in preventing illnesses that can impact mine workers in the long term, such as asbestosis or coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung. While these illnesses can take many years of long-term exposure to dangerous particles to creep up on workers, the consequences of them can seriously affect the life expectancy of sufferers and even be fatal.
