October 2020

SPECIAL FOCUS Health & Safety – Dust & Fume Extraction October 2020 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 35 prevent a combustible dust explosion? According to Tim Turney, Technical Product Manager at Casella, who specialises in measurement and instrumentation for air sampling, a dust explosion can only occur when the following five factors are present: Fuel, in the form of dust particles Dispersion of the fuel in the form of a dust cloud Oxygen in the form of air Confinement of the dust cloud in the form of a container (e.g. a dust collector) A source of ignition Turney says that undertaking a walk-through survey using a hand-held, real-time sampler will give instantaneous indication of concentration. It could also be used to check the effectiveness of control measures such as local exhaust ventilation e.g. pre and post filter. Industrial hygienists may already be undertaking personal monitoring for toxic or sensitizing dusts and the same air-sampling pump could be used in combination with a real-time sampler when housed in a robust, portable case, on an unattended, short-term basis. For high risk areas, fixed, powered systems can be used for continuous monitoring. The IF YOU’RE READING THIS, THEN SO ARE 30,000+ ENGINEERS IMAGINE THE IMPACT YOUR ADVERTISEMENT COULD HAVE Contact Damien Oxlee at PWE Tel: 01732 370340 Tel: 01142 889464 Email :sales@dpdoorsandshutters.co.uk Website:www.dpdoorsandshutters.co.uk Aluminium Support Legs and Head meaning easier and quicker installation. Built in integral Windbar system giving excellent wind resistance,no need for additional add on wind bars. Designed for external door locations where wind resistance is Key. Variety of activation options available,from basic push button,to remote handsets,movement detectors,pull chords and induction loops. Safety features as standard,Multi Light beam and electronic safe edge. High Speed Doors data these generate can be made available remotely using a web-based interface. Such systems provide real-time alerts via text message or an email should limits be exceeded. Reports can easily be automated and sent to multiple users, which allows an early intervention to avoid a potential problem. Action thresholds should always be set at a fraction of the Lower Explosion Limit (LEL) for the dust in question. Asbestos exposure Finally, a few words about our old friend asbestos. Although the risk is much lower than it used to be, there is no excuse for complacency, because asbestos is still present in many older buildings and structures. “Even though we have more knowledge about the dangers of asbestos that we lacked several decades ago, naturally when being in the vicinity of structures that contain these fibres, we risk exposure to them,” says Ben Pickard, Director of Asbestos Audit Environmental Services, a company which undertakes asbestos surveying, sampling, management and removal, all in compliance with the asbestos regulations. However, Pickard adds, if asbestos is handled correctly and is safely managed and contained, the hazards associated with asbestos can be prevented. Table 1 To prevent exposure to asbestos, the following health and safety measures should be followed: Identify if asbestos is present. It is always best to assume there is asbestos present in old buildings until you know otherwise. Conduct a risk assessment. If asbestos is present, determine who could potentially be at risk to exposure to it and avoid disturbing the fibres if possible. Provide adequate asbestos health and safety training for employees. Follow all advice provided. If asbestos is present, a guidance sheet should be provided. Provide the correct PPE to staff to ensure their safety. The correct decontamination process of all equipment, tools and PPE should be conducted. Safely dispose of asbestos waste. Any waste must be double bagged and disposed of at a licensed tip.