There are many reasons why dust monitoring is so important. Dust monitoring, in conjunction with appropriate PPE, protects employees from exposure and helps prevent illnesses brought on by breathing in too much dust. Preventing contamination of engineering controls and preventative equipment helps keep them functioning properly and effectively for dust suppression. Although it’s easy to focus on the larger dust particles, it’s the finer dust that poses the greatest harm to human health. Tiny particles can sneak past our immune systems and end up in our blood or lungs. Our lungs are equipped to deal with dust particles, but prolonged exposure to dangerously high levels of dust can be harmful to human health.
Recognizing the Dangers
Dust is a common nuisance in the workplace, but it can become dangerous in excessive amounts. Silica dust and asbestos fibers are both prevalent in the workplace and can be harmful if inhaled in large quantities. There is a risk of inhaling silica particles from the dust created by some jobs, including abrasive blasting, stonecutting, foundry work, drilling, and quarry work. Among the most crucial measures in these settings, silica dust monitoring and control are essential. Sawing, cutting, and sanding generate fine wood dust that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and even induce dermatitis if inhaled by a woodworker. All of these are reasons why dust monitoring, silica air monitoring, and dust suppression system must be a top priority.
Making a Change
To make a safety policy, you must control silica dust and take other steps to reduce risks. The first step is to compile safety data sheets for any potentially dangerous substance. On these sheets, you’ll find information about the substance, its risks, and how to avoid and get rid of the risk if it ever becomes a problem. Include as much information as you can about each material to help your staff avoid irritation and handle it safely and effectively. Keep staff informed of health and safety changes and essential messages about harmful substances.
Protect Yourself
Many workers can’t avoid coming into contact with dust altogether. Nonetheless, there are measures that every company can adopt to protect their workers from danger. Gloves and other skin protection such as long-sleeved clothes should be part of the basic PPE for areas with high concentrations of small dust particles. While PPE protects against common dust in the workplace, employers must monitor airborne dust concentrations and take precautionary measures when concentrations rise alarmingly. In workplaces with high dust levels, monitoring technology can detect the size and concentrations of airborne particles and inform users when levels reach dangerously high, enabling you to safely evacuate workers.
Equipping workers
In addition to PPE, you can teach workers how to manage workplace hazards. Any workplace with health risks needs health and safety training. Regular health and safety training from a trained specialist helps employees make small changes to keep the workplace clean and safe. Run a practice drill and watch how employees react when you introduce a new safety process or new materials. Be clear with workers about your expectations for following organizational health and safety standards. To foster a safe workforce, give employees regular feedback on current peon theirormance and how to enhance health and safety activities.
It’s not enough to measure dust—employers must remove hazardous particles as often as feasible. The initial step in addressing large dust spills or locations with high particle concentrations is to prevent the spread of contamination by sealing off any affected areas.
